I've planted as late as November without any problems. Ideally you want time for the plant to grow roots before the ground freezes and 6 weeks would be ideal. But the plants are probably better off in the ground than above it, except if they are so small that they might heave out of the ground during freeze thaw cycles. You could prevent that by mulching with evergreen branches (Old Christmas tree perhaps). That will help keep the ground shaded and frozen.

Steve

I think my order with Casita Azul arrives today. So they will need potting up and tucking in for the winter too. No heaving around here though. I'm expecting them to be dormant or nearly so.

I got another Fragrant Bouquet, which is such a major player among the fragrant hosta. And then two new ones, Gentle Spirit and Machete.

i wish i had a nickle ...

in ground freeze areas .. the ONLY ISSUE is frost/freeze heave....

big plants dont heave.. plant until the ground freezes ...

anything that might heave due to small size.. needs to be mulched.. so they dont pop out of the ground...

if we get full snow cover until march.. you will have no problems ...

if none... sun on soil causing the freeze/thaw cycle to pop lttle ones out of the ground....

forward nickle to my paypal.. lol..

ken

ps: when a hosta is dormant.... there is no root growth.. unlike a tree lets say .... so the shear weight better hold it in the ground ...

Still planting here too, just put Wylde Green Cream in the ground yesterday. I'm also waiting on Queen of the Seas to start going dormant before I move it. Most of my hostas are still going strong, but it finally drooped a little yesterday.