"PatC" wrote in message
Hi
I got a gift of a climbing rose 'Sir Lincoln', it's in a packet
with
instructions on how to prepare the soil & plant it, but it doesn't
say when
to do this, I need to know if it's OK to do it now?
I've alway's have been lead to believe that you should only plant
roses in
June - July.

Plant it now if it suits you to do so. Roses in containers can be
planted at any time but they will need more care (ie watering) if
planted int eh middle of sumemr.

It I don't plant it now, how does it stay alive?

You water it and keep it alive by looking after it. Those plastic
bags are not good for keeping roses alive long term unless they are
well looked after. They tend to cook the roots if the bag is left out
in the sun.