QuestionHello! I live in zone 7a near Lubbock, TX. Our last hard freeze is usually mid-May, but this has been one crazy winter. We've been getting several inches of snow every couple of weeks since Christmas. I recently purchased a container rose that has already leafed out. When do you recommend that I plant it in the ground? Will it need protection if you suggest planting soon? Thank you so much!
AnswerI would keep the container rose outside in a sheltered area say close to the house. Then pile soil, mulch or anything right up to the edge of the container. This will slow the growth down as you can't stop a rose from growing when it has been activated into growth.
Then wait until the beginning of May as a freeze will not harm it because it has been used to growing in your garden. If you try and keep the rose indoors you will have problems when you plant it outside. The growth will be tender and even a frost will kill it.
