Very interesting Lyn! I hadn't thought of that technique, but totally makes sense. Especially considering your climactic challenges. Come to think of it, that is kind of how I treated some small own root plants I've purchased.
Generally speaking, roses appear to root well in the soil here. Its a moisture retentive clay loam with good humus content. Early spring direct planting is the only way I've ever treated a grafted plant and I'm now curious about planting in fall. Those Palatine plants are planted really deep to start with, so the roots would be growing some through the winter...wouldn't they? I'm confident I could protect them with a nice pile of mulch. Wondering if they would establish faster? Some years hot weather comes early, a healthy root system is certainly what they need do deal with it.
I placed my Palatine order today and November 23 was the first available ship date for fall, which concerns me as a bit too late with Thanksgiving week and possibly being delayed in planting. And sometimes we get cold weather around the first of December. I chickened out and listed March 17 for the ship date.
