T.J. Stewart wrote:
Early Amethyst start (6 inch pot) with tender leaves (out of all of the plants, this one must not die.)
bareroot hibiscus (probably 2-3 years old)
hibiscus start (6 in pot) with tender leaves
bareroot peony (Gardenia) that has started to break dormancy
bareroot iris (Shaker's prayer)
fritillaria bulb
That's a nice connection with the nursery! I like to collect out of season, clearance plants as well.
My experience with iris and peony when I lived in zone 4 leads me to believe they would be fine planted outside anywhere.
A friend had a hibiscus growing right next to her house in zone 4, but I know there many varieties each with their own hardiness...
Do you know what conditions they were grown in at the nursery? If the 2-3 year olds were grown outside, meaning they have survived your winters already, then they should be fine outside as well. If the variety is listed on the plants, that makes it easier to find out their hardiness.
If it was me, I would put the 6 inch hibiscus in shelter for this winter as it still has leaves. But I don't have much experience or success with hibiscus...
I have no experience with fritillaria, sorry.
For the early amethyst, if it must not die, then I would put it in the warmest place so you're not stressed about it. I have seen them growing outside in peoples gardens here in zone 8ish.
When I get plants that are new to me, I err on the side of caution until they produce seeds or cuttings. Then I experiment with the offspring.
Good luck!