You'll probably get a range of anecdotal responses ranging from pot them up then wait until fall to replant in their permanent places to pot them up when they arrive and plant permanently as soon as the bed is ready. Probably more options in between.

I'm of the school to pot them up when they arrive, then carefully transplant them permanently as soon as possible. Anecdotal, but I did that last season with some bare roots from Wal-mart that screamed "save me". Purchased, potted up and kept in a sunny window from late March to end of May. Sprouted beautifully in the house then took off once outside to bloom the first season.

Folks here will scream murder, but we have had TPs in 16" pots for five years now. We purchased three year old roots from a reputable dealer, knowing that we would have garden space the next year. That didn't happen...

We just moved last year and did not have gardens in in time to tramsplant - thus the TPs are still in their pots - and thriving! This is the second year for blossoms and each has eight or nine. They'll go into the garden in late October.

We also have ten babies, now third year, started from seed and in their transplant pots. This is the first year that they have thrived and they are all now around 12" and stemming nicely.

:Thank you both for responding. I'm going to try potting them up first and then decide when to place them in the flower bed. I have an injured wrist so the new flower bed is on hold. Hopefully I won't lose any of the new roots. Wish me luck!