Buying Roses

They are lovely roses Sian, but I won't be paying David Austins prices!

 

Do David Austins do bare root? (I've seen them in their characteristic green pots in nurseries, but not sure if they also do bare root)

 

That hadn't occurred to me Kristen, but I still don't think they'll be as cheap as other nurseries.

 

I'd be amazed if they were cheap ... and IME bare rooted from a reputable nursery make excellent plants - avoiding the stress of them being crammed into a pot and possible "stood-around" pot bound for rather too long, or "forced" in tunnels or somesuch. I'm with you that bare root is a better starting point for a rose bed

 

It's not only that Kristen but the few roses that do exist to buy on the island are such bad quality that I will have to buy online to get something decent. Plus, pots are more expensive by post/courier because of the weight and I will have to pay extra anyway because of the shipping.

 

I looked at Cants for the varieties we have: £8.30 and £8.40 respectively (bare root), and carriage is a little over £1 for 5-off, as against a fiver each for potted plants ... (plus the £10 surcharge for Isle of Mann that you mentioned earlier).

I wonder why people buy David Austins ?

 

Stephenroff on ebay £6.50 each,i got my alfred carriere and ena harkness from him..
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/k-and-r-re...d=113112734&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1
Think he has about 40 diff ones for sale

 

Never a truer word ...

 

Sheal,
my Joie de Vivre is producing its 3rd flush of buds this year. Think I counted about 8 today. Its in the "Only a rose " thread and I bought it as a bare root rose this year.
Jenny

 

My mum is buying from david Austin after being very happy with the standard roses she ordered.

I dunno a lot, but are they that more expensive if you're buying in quantity? They have some three for two offer so I am getting some roses too!

 

Yes, they are dear. You are paying for brand name. But they have a good reputation for quality. Equally good quality available from other reputable rose growers ... but the thing about a good brand name is that you know you can rely on it, whereas you may have no experience of XYZ Rose Nursery to know whether it is any good or not. You can put your trust in folk on this forum, of course, but some folks will be happier buying from the name-they-know. Nought wrong with that.