Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Mail-Order Roses

I have been asked a few times where I get my roses. There are several good sources (friends and reputable garden centers are two), but most of mine have come from mail-order nurseries which carry rare or unusual varieties not easily found anywhere else.

Rosette Delizy (Tea, Nabonnand, 1922), in my garden

Yesterday on my doorstep I found a long-expected package from Vintage Gardens, a mail-order rose nursery specializing in antique and rare roses.


 For me, and I am sure for many other rosarians, opening a package with new roses feels like Christmas morning. Here are my four plants snugly packed with lots of newspaper to ensure the stems do not break.


Most mail-order roses are own-root (not grafted onto a rootstock) and are in effect rooted cuttings of a mother plant that grows in the nursery's garden.


To reduce costs, roses are shipped in small containers called bands (bigger sized plants are usually available from most nurseries too). Although they can be put directly into the ground, bands are usually replanted into a 1-gallon container (and sometimes to a 5-gallon afterward) because a bigger and more mature plant has a better chance of surviving in the ground.

Comparative size of a band and a 1-gallon pot
The roses are actively growing, and the container is wrapped up tightly so the soil does not spill out in transit.



Even though initially band roses are tiny plants, they grow quickly.

Francis Dubreuil (Tea, Dubreuil, 1894), in my garden
 With the exception of some hybrid teas and floribundas bred in mid to late 1900s specifically for being budded onto a rootstock, most own-root varieties thrive and bloom as well as (or better than) their grafted counterparts.

Lorraine Lee, Climbing (H. Gigantea, Tea, Mackay, 1932), at the San Jose Heritage Garden
I now have close to a hundred roses that I received as bands. All of them have become big, healthy and vigorous plants. I don't order as much as I used to because my garden is full, but if space becomes available I will most likely mail-order my replacements. The choice of varieties is very large and watching baby roses grow into wonderful, generously blooming plants is a lot of fun.

Lyda Rose (Shrub, Lettunich, 1994), in my garden
Here are some nurseries from which I have ordered:

Vintage Gardens
Antique Rose Emporium
Burlington Rose Nursery
Chamblee's Rose Nursery
Rogue Valley Roses
Heirloom Roses

Finally, just one more thing that I feel is important: most garden roses are complex hybrids tracing their origins to several regions with widely different climates, such as subtropical China or continental France. Therefore, not all roses will thrive in all climates. Do your research!

Mme Berard (Tea-Noisette, Levet, 1870), in my garden
P.S. For curious rosarians, I should, perhaps, mention what I got. My order contains Pink Princess (my post on Pink Princess), Snowbird (my post on Snowbird), Etoile de Lyon and Taischa.

70 comments:

  1. Lovely as always! I have been doing some research myself and have a few possibilities picked out to order soon. :)

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  2. I am not a big rose person as I have had very bad luck with them but I got a thrill when I saw the Antique Rose Emporium because dear blogging friend of mine used to work there. I will send her this way to see your lovely collection.

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  3. Thank you, Hanni. Researching roses for later purchase is one of my favorite things to do. I hope your choices work out!

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  4. That's OK, Lifeshighway, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am sorry roses didn't work out for you. We all have our likes and dislikes... I would love to meet your friend.

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  5. I am expecting my own box from Vintage any time now!!

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  6. You are right about it feeling like Christmas morning when they arrive. I've had great luck with Chamblee's Roses and always go there first. The Antique Rose Emporium is also a great source.

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  7. Weszłam do Ciebie przez przypadek ....jestem zachwycona Twoimi różami ...masz super gust ,,,,,pozdrawiam Bogusia

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  8. I'm trying my hand with Roses now - I have 3 new Iceberg (standards). Learning LOTS from you :)

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  9. Dear Masha,
    Thank you for your comment and explain.
    For me it is naturally difficult for these companies to order (than very high transport costs).
    In the Netherlands we have this kind of companies which take into account our climate.
    We also have a large difference in types of ground (clay, sand and peat). Here too be taken into account. I must gardening rather poor sandy soil. So .... unfortunately, not all types of roses grow well for me, but Masha...!!! and then I come to you just look at your blog for all roses to enjoy.
    Thanks for that!!!!!.
    Very kind regards, Elly

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  10. I bet you ordered some lovely roses, Connie. I wish I knew what your choices are.

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  11. You are right, Phillip, Chamblee's is great, although they do not carry a whole lot of old roses. Their prices for 1G plants are unbeatable though, and the roses arrive in good condition. ARE has a large selection.

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  12. Thank you, Bogusia, and nice to meet you!

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  13. Thank you, Christine. Icebergs are great roses, I hope they do well for you.

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  14. Thank you, Elly, for your compliments, they warm my heart. I thought you could order from Peter Beales, and maybe French nurseries, such as Roseraie du Desert?

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  15. I look forward to my mail order perennial order also. Soon to arrive, the 28th from Santa Rosa. Have you purchased from them? My wife wants me to plant a Just Joey, is there anyone that grows that variety from it's own rootstock? haven't had good luck with "joey" in the past. I have actually visited the Rose Emporium when they opened a branch nursery in San Antonio. Loved everything about the nursery, not just the roses.

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  16. You have close to a hundred roses?! Wow! What a fantastic place your garden must be!

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  17. Hi, Greggo, and no, I don't usually mail-order perennials, although I am just about to start with clematis. We have a nursery that sells plants from Annie's Annuals, and I go there as I have fun choosing my own plants.

    Are you sure you want Just Joey on its own roots? I searched HelpMefind and came with a few vendors, Rogue Valley Roses and Vintage Gardens being just some of them. Here is link (you can click on a vendor's name and they will point you to the website)

    http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.3564&tab=16

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  18. Hello Masha,

    I just came across your blog and I love it. Your pics are gorgeous and I am looking forward to your future postings.

    Greetings from Indiana...Heidi

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  19. Thank you, Olga. I actually have more than 100, but they didn't all come from mail-order:). I am so crazy about roses that my 5-year old son calls anything that blooms a rose, even if it is a tree:).

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  20. Thank you, Heidi and nice to meet you! I am so happy you like my blog.

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  21. Great post about mail-ordering roses. I am excited about the ones that you got this time. Can't wait to see Pink Princess, Snowbird, Etoile de Lyon, and Taischa blooming for you! I am especially interested in Snowbird and Etoile de Lyon, since I am considering buying these roses sooner or later for myself. Just have to get all the roses waiting in containers planted into the first...
    Christina

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  22. Thank you, Christina. I am excited about Taischa the most, I think. I will definitely let you know how Etoile de Lyon does, especially compared to Alexander Hill Grey (or Amazone, or Soncy, or whatever it is)...

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  23. I have ordered most of mine as bareroots from David Austin. They've all grown well for me. I'd love to get into more of the old roses, but I would definitely have to do more research on climate, since many of them wouldn't handle my zone 5 and late spring frosts. I've wanted 'Eden' forever (not quite an old rose, but close), but the Northwest Rosarium nearby says they nearly lost their Eden a couple of years ago in a bad winter. So I haven't tried it yet.

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  24. Eden is lovely, but prone to balling:). I do love those huge blooms, too. I know rugosas could handle zone 5 no problem, and maybe look into albas, mosses and centifolias? Lots of older Austins (that DA no longer carries) are available own-root from mail-order too.

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  25. Your garden is just gorgeous. I wish I could smell the fragrance from all the blooming roses. Great post on mail ordering and what to expect.

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  26. Thank you, Holley. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures of roses in your garden.

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  27. Excellent post, Masha. It really is important that people know there are highly reputable nurseries other than the ones they can drive to AND other beautiful roses available besides Knock-Outs. I'm sure you've helped a lot of rose-hungry gardeners broaden their horizons.

    Vintage has a "Cold and Heat Resistance & General Rose Culture" page that gives lists of rose-types and where they can be grown. Here's the link:
    http://www.vintagegardens.com/rose_hardiness.html

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  28. Thanks for the link, Sherry! You are right, there are other roses than Knock-Outs:).

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  29. Opening all mail order plants, even the ones I order to sell at my nursery, is like Christmas. It is so exciting.

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  30. Great info--thanks for sharing (along with some really lovely photos!)

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  31. It's such a wonderful feeling to get that mail order box of roses! My wife calls me a rose snob because of my views on Knock-outs!!!!!

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  32. I agree, Carolyn, new plants are always a joy to gardeners.

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  33. You are welcome, Daphne, and nice to meet you!

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  34. I agree, TRR, it is a wonderful thing. I don't object to Knock-Outs as such because they are vigorous healthy roses, but it would be better if more people looked beyond Knock-Outs - there is so much more beauty out there!

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  35. Great post! I've ordered from Vintage, ARE, and Chamblee's and was very pleased.

    You asked about the bird photo ~ I used a 55-300 lens to get that shot. And about the deer ~ they've caused a lot less problems than I thought they would. We have undeveloped floodplain (hundreds of acres), pastures, farmland, and hunters around us, which is why I think the deer typically only snack on the garden in the winter ~ they have lots of room and lots of food anyway. Right now they're eating the new spring grass.

    Unfortunately the Japanese Beetles eat the roses during the summer.

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  36. I understand how you felt when you got them...you know why ;)

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  37. Masha, your roses are incredibly beautiful! I recently bought some mini roses in container to start with. Not that many roses grow well in our climate. Maybe when we move out of state I will have more space and I can grow roses. I've always wanted to grow climbing roses too and I dream of having a cottage garden. Thanks for sharing the photos of your lovely roses. I bet your garden has a sweet fragrance!

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  38. Thanks for sharing. Now I know how mail order for plants are done. I wonder if the plant would suffocate in the box but it does look healthy.

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  39. Your roses are so beautiful, Masha ! I love roses ,so i will visit you a lot !

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  40. Thank you, Sweetbay, it is so nice to hear about a garden that's so different from mine. I am sorry about the Japanese beetles, I have heard awful things about them but we don't have them here - not enough moisture. I guess our drought conditions are good for something...

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  41. Thank you, Isabelle, it is always so nice to meet a like-minded rose lover who understands the addiction:).

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  42. Thank you, Priscilla. I love the cottage garden look too, and am trying to achieve a Mediterranean version of it. It is hard to keep it looking lush when the weather is dry and hot:). Good luck with your minis, I hope they work out for you. I am looking forward to pictures.

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  43. One, thank you for your comment. The box is cardboard, so I think they have enough air. Also, plants rarely spend more than two days in transit. We try to order from nurseries that are geographically close (saves on shipping too).

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  44. Thank you, Dani. I am so happy you like my pictures, it gives me an incentive to continue!

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  45. Wow! I didnt know they can be ordered by mail.You have such a beautiful rose garden, I wish I could visit and smell the roses! Just love all your roses, they are gorgeous!

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  46. Thank you, p3chandan! I wish you could visit too...

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  47. When I began my California garden, Masha
    I ordered own-root roses, too.
    They're the best! Do believe I can smell the fragrance if these beauties through the monitor;-)
    xo
    Alice

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  48. Thank you for your lovely comment, Alice. Bare-root roses from good nurseries are a great way to get healthy plants.

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  49. I'm admired by your Lyda Rose: I'd never seen anything like it, it's really gorgeous...

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  50. Grazie, Dona. I love Lyda too.

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  51. Thank you, Tatyana, I hope more people will be tempted:)

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  52. Thank you Masha, I have an awesome nursery near by where I get most of my roses. But, the variety you have shared makes me think I'd better take a new look. Now I won't be so afraid to order on-line! Beautiful. Jill

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  53. Hi Masha - I have an order coming in from Chamblee's at the beginning of April :)! All the 'old roses' and 'english roses' I have came from either Chamblee's or Antique Rose Emporium, so I can second the thumbs up on those two. The most recent that I received from ARE was a MUCH bigger plant than anticipated...its like they said, oh heck, there's this 3 year old rose sitting here, maybe we should send it to someone. What a nice surprise. Its only been in a pot for about 15 days and is already covered in leaves and buds!

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  54. Great, Jill, it is so much fun to choose plants and then watch news ones grow. Good luck.

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  55. Jess, you have to tell me their names! I hope you post pictures on your blog - I will keep checking:). I am glad you got a big rose, it must be so rewarding to see it covered with buds.

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  56. How exciting! Your garden must be oh, so fragrant about now! My Roses won't be blooming for a couple of months, so I will live vicariously through your blog for now. Beautiful!

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  57. Thank you, Beth. My roses are not really blooming yet either, those are al last year's pictures, but I am glad you enjoyed them.

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  58. Hi Masha, just found your beautiful blog after you left a nice comment on mine - what fabulous roses you have! I am about to place orders for roses for my garden (Gertrude Jekyll and Gloire de Dijon from David Austin). Do you have any recommendations for shady corners - preferably something to ramble?

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  59. Hello, Charlotte, and nice to meet you! I love GJ, and I hope all your choices work out for you.

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  60. Hi Masha, I never realised that you could even buy Roses that had not been grafted. I really don't think naturally rooted ones are even available in the UK. How do you get on when you plant a rose in a position where there had already been one previously planted.

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  61. Hi Alistair, I was not aware of the fact that there were no own-root roses in England! Here even David Austin started selling own-root roses. We don't have rose replant disease in the US, so replacing roses is no problem.

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  62. Masha, I am hoping you do some posts on some of your special care tips for your roses. My friend the rosarian has his tricks, I bet you have some to share too. I always like to hear something to encourage me to expand my own selection with good results.

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  63. Hi, Donna, I will be happy to help in any way I can. I love sharing my addiction!

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  64. I love your roses. And add a link to yours on the side of my blog, if you don't mind.

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  65. Thank you, GreenGardenMom. I don't mind at all, I am happy you liked my blog.

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  66. If you can grow roses in Miami (5' above sea level), you can grow them anywhere! I have been getting mine from rosepetalsnursery.com, which specializes in OGRs for warm climates. They're located in Gainesville, home of the University of Florida, at the north end of the state. The prices are good, too.

    -- Penny

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  67. Thank you for letting me know, Penny. I try to avoid East Coast nurseries because of cross-country shipping costs, but I have heard good things about it.

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  68. Was the shipping cost of Chamblees a lot? Because I've been hesitant about ordering a single band from chamblee's. I live in socal.

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    1. Not at all, even though the plants were 1-gallon. They don't have sales tax either and often stick two plants into one pot. A great deal overall.

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