This question is for knowledgeable gardeners out there.?

Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Always a good idea to amend the soil when doing so.

I'd dig a hole twice as big as the root ball and plant the shrub so the top of the root ball is flush with the surrounding soil. Then back fill 1/3 manure, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 soil from hole (mixed up in wheel barrow first).

After its planted tamp the soil to slightly compact it and to secure the roots. Then, water gently but thoroughly daily for a week. Then once a week until it starts to get towards freezing at night. Also, be sure to mulch over the exposed soil with something like pine straw to retain moisture and provide insulation.

Next spring your bush should be ready for normal maintenance.

Don't forget to cut off any tags, plastic binders, or metal wires before planting, and free up the root mass a bit too.

I have burning bushes around my house. They are very hardy and only require water and pruning to survive.

Plant the bush with the top of the root ball an inch or so below ground to avoid freezing any roots.

Come spring, prune to shape. I expound enough on the importance of pruning. Burning Bushes will put out new shoots all spring, summer and fall. If you don't stay on top of the shaping, it will get really tall and crowd out anything near it.

The red foliage makes it worth the work.

You say your winters are cold and rough but how cold are we talking about, below freezing for long periods such as days at a time? Because if not planting the bush up against a southern wall might get it through the winter. But if you're going to do that than plant it in the spring. As for the indoor part, I wouldn't spend money and time babying any plant. If it can't hang-in-there by a sunny window at room temperature for five months it ain't worth the effort.

plant as with any other planting, keep well watered throughout the winter, mulch around the planting to retain moisture and protect the root ball from freezing.

good luck

***Hello. I am a Certified Master Gardener.***

Use a good quality soil amendment, such as Kellogg's. Make a 50 - 50 mix of amendment with the native (existing) soil.

Cover the rootball thoroughly, with the top being level with your garden soil.

Apply a good all-purpose fertilizer such as OSMOCOTE. Read package directions.

Water fertilizer in well.

Green thumbs up to you!

JUDGE'S JUNGLE