I would wait and see what happens. If you have removed a big root ball it may not even notice that it has been transplanted. Don't fertilise it. I don't think I would even prune it yet until it warms up a bit.
It's roses that you move at this time of year, they are very hardy and like to be moved when dormant.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Agreed. Don't feed, it won't need it ever if planted in the ground. If you get v harsh conditions - less than minus 5, snow, ice, then fleeceing might help.
Bushy salvias do get woody if not pruned (like lavenders), so, eventually, a new plant might not be a bad thing.
I have moved them in the past (possibly not quite this early in February, but certainly during mild spells in late Feb/early March) , and if the soil wasn't frosted and the forecast isn't too cold for the next week or so, you may well be ok. As others have said, Hot Lips seems to be one of the tougher varieties. Mine was bent double by snowfall in early December 2022 , but recovered and flowered well the following year.
Personally, l would wait and see. The leaves may turn brown and drop off and it might droop alarmingly, but l would stick with it and see what happens in around early April, when with luck you will see fresh growth appear from lower down the plant. Don't feed it, don't prune it any further for now, just wait and see
Thank you everyone. Yes, in hindsight I wish I had left it until later on, but as I say I did get a massive root ball as to try and not cause too much of an issue. I didn't prune it as I wanted to leave it a little longer but would like to trim it back near April. Hopefully I will get some new shoots before then and it won't be affected. There is a mild spell coming in the next week so fingers crossed. Worst case I will have to get another one. We live and we learn. Thank you again for your help 🙏🏻🙏🏻
The only thing that might help your plant is to put small bamboo canes in a circle around it and tie string in circles to the canes to keep the plant steady in its planting hole and support it against windrock.
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It's roses that you move at this time of year, they are very hardy and like to be moved when dormant.
Personally, l would wait and see. The leaves may turn brown and drop off and it might droop alarmingly, but l would stick with it and see what happens in around early April, when with luck you will see fresh growth appear from lower down the plant.
Don't feed it, don't prune it any further for now, just wait and see