Could try Blue Crown-pretty darn hardy and I've used it to pollinate Incense with a couple of successes. Although you're right Kiwinut for as many as I've tried to pollinate, I've had more fail than succeed. Not sure if maybe it's a time of day thing or what. I had 3 Blue Crowns survive last year's horrific winter in the Hi Desert of So Calif (zone 8 - sunset 11) 1 of them was on the front porch, did not lose it's leaves. The other 2 were in pots out in all of the rain, 3x normal amount, some snow, 15-25F weather for about a week. Only problem with Blue Crown is the fruit may not be particularly tasty, but you can use it to pollinate, it's hardy and is fragrant, at least mine are.

I had both Monsieur Tillier and Mrs BR Cant. They both get large. I think Mrs BR Cant has a better form and will stay more compact (although still large) while MT will be more of a rambling shape. Same as Susan, I lost most of the above ground growth during the polar vortex, but they grew back fine. Unfortunately I had to dig them up when they tore up my yard. They didn't survive in the pots (probably my fault). I do have 2 new Mrs BR Cants now. Before the polar vortes, my Mrs. BR Cant was about 8 feet wide and 5 feet tall.

on some level.. i fear you are going to love them to death ... if you can figure out where to plant them in spring.. why not now ... mother earth .. bare rooted.. and planted in native soil would be much easier on the plant ... the link seems to indicate they can take min temps much colder than what you think is cold ...so you are taking a variable that is not important..; and trying to baby the plant ... etc ... just get them planted ... you can always dig them back up in spring.. should you find a better spot ... see second link ... ken https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+hemlock&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=chinese+hemlock+temp+hardiness === https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Towandaaz: Looks like you have about the same amount of growth as I have. You've got some nice basals coming in. Our last frost date is May 8...aaaannddd...we are supposed to get snow this weekend! That's going to wreck havoc in the garden. Everything started leafing out in February. All the fruit trees bloomed a month ago. The garden looked like this yesterday, but I'm afraid what will happen this weekend. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see like rabainsz7bpnw says. Let me know how your Geoff Hamilton does. I've appreciated the photos of this rose for a long time, but heard that it is a stingy bloomer. Altorama: The soil seemed to be pretty moist when I checked it. The drip lines are running fine. The roses under the maple seemed to be doing the best.