Well I'm wondering where you got them from - no reputable supplier would send out bare root plants past end of March, so if you can return them, I would. If you can't, get them in the ground asap, but you need to keep them well watered for the next six weeks, unless you're having torrential rain - a bit of drizzle or a brief shower doesn't count.

Given they're bare root and the need to plant is urgent, I wouldn't worry about putting anything much in the planting hole at this stage, unless you've got some good garden compost knocking about - you can add the composted manure as a mulch around the base of the plants. Do, though, add some fish blood and bone or Growmore to the planting hole.

It's OK. Go ahead and plant them. Build up a cone at bottom of planting hole and splay roots out on top of cone. You can mix some rotted horse manure in with the backfill. Give it a good water. Not too late to get blooms.

Its very surprising that bare root are still being supplied, especially if the catalogue didn't say so, which it should have done. You could chance it if they look healthy but should they be a bit iffy I'd agree, contact the supplier.

I thought it was strange for Bare Roots to be sold now. I bought them online last Thursday (7th). They came today along with their catalog, in which, my order is £6 cheaper!
So irritated by all this I have e-mailed them because it does not state on their page that they are Bare Root unless you really delve into it, which I did this morning, and it does actually say BR.
My fault for not being a detective I suppose.
Thanks for the help so far Guys.

They've given you a discount because they know they shouldn't have supplied them this late in the year, I'm sure. They'll either have to pot up the remainder of their stock, or bin it if they can't sell them on discounted.

You did not mention the state of the roses. If they are still showing life (green stems with some leaves), soak the roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours, then plant them up if you can in 7" - 8" pots until next year. You can mix horse manure in with the planting soil, as long as it's well rotted. Then give each pot a thorough watering and do not feed them this season.

They are unlikely to flower this year. They may just sit there and sulk for 2 - 3 months, but after this period they may start to put on new foliage. Keep each pot well watered during the summer.

Thanks for all your comments.

BR is perfectly fine if they are properly packaged and shipped express mail. You need to plant it immediately. It's about saving you money, not having to pay for the extra bulk and weight of a potted plant.

that's so when they are dormant but at this time of year its trying to get rid in a hurry.

Hi, sounds like a t&m special to me, I ordered some b r perennials from them a few years go, they looked like the previous years plug plants when they finally arrived, in july, needless to say I've bought nothing from them since, or ever will again, Derek.

That's unfortunate & I can't blame you. I guess I'm speaking from my own experience here in the US. There's a way to package BR to survive a couple days of transit. If I can't find a special plant I want, I can always find somebody to ship it to me from somewhere in the US. I always have the hole dug and ready.

Thanks again everyone, I will plant them and hope for the best. They have 2 chances. fingers crossed.