| Welcome to Virginia! I live in the vicinity of Springfield. Roses can be somewhat challenging to grow here due to long stretches of extreme humidity. I'd suggest leaving behind any rose easily susceptible to blackspot. Or bring cuttings of everything and next year ruthlessly weed out those which prove attractive to blackspot. Local blackspot is easily controlled with either a mild baking soda solution drench or with a milk spray, both of which require re-application after each rain. This spring we have had very little rain, and I have only had to make one application since the beginning of April. OTOH, I have been irrigating since mid-April. Your other challenge is going to be a heavy clay soil. Unless you are fortunate and find a house previously owned by an enthusiastic gardener, please expect to do some extensive soil amending. Local roses do best in raised beds of at least a foot above ground level. Fairfax County runs a superb leaf recycling program, with free composted leaves available almost all year at Lorton and at West Ox Road (FairLakes) as well during late fall to summer at smaller locations. One small pickup area is near North Springfield, just off the road to Lake Accotink - if you can stand all those horrid speed bumps. The leaves make an excellent soil in one year, less if used in a lasagna-type bed. When planning and preparing the beds, do make provision for drip irrigation. We are presently in drought condition (my garden has had 2" rain in the past four months), and drought is normal from the end of July through August, unless a hurricane or tropical storm passes through. In moving the plants: prune back, water well, wrap pot to the base of trunk with plastic to retain moisture; cover with heavy paper or bubble wrap [leave an air space if bubblewrap is used] and then securely tie with twine; and it's okay to let them travel on their sides. Traveling in August is going to be very difficult, both because this is not their normal dormant period and because you are likely to subject them to extreme heat. Leaving them in a closed vehicle on a hot day can literally bake them; remember that an 80° day can raise the car's interior temperature to 120° in about 15 minutes, 135° in less than an hour. I know of no moving company that is willing to take the responsibility of shipping plants, however, you might wish to check into UPS or FedEx express service. The dogs would likely be better off *not* cuddling up to the roses. | 
