Ordered three shipments of 1-gallon pot Rhododendron from different nurseries online to start growing some plants in our new home. We were thrilled with what we received from 2 of the nurseries, but one of them sent us the same size pot with what felt more like loose soil instead of roots. Above ground they measure between 4-6 inches tall from that nursery vs 12-18 from the other two. Pictures are of the general sizes between the nurseries.
Mostly curious if :
These smaller plants are ready to have been put in the ground from a survivability perspective, or anything additional I should do to manage them?
Is this an acceptable 1-gallon size plant to receive for $48 shipped, or is this worthy of a complaint to the nursery? This is my first year buying them so my only points of comparison is between these 3 nurseries.
Variety is a native Rosebay Rhododendron Maximum, planting region is Maine, USA under a canopy of old oaks.
Thanks!