A rose bush question (as I know nout about gardening)

[Dave7]

When buying a rose bush....do yoi get what yoi pay for ?
Situation is......for our recent 50th anniversary we were given two bushes (by different people).
After clearing a patch I have dug it over adding plenty of compost and feed then planted them.....both are doing well.
Now I have decided to extend the area and get a other.
Within 2 miles of me there is a sell-everything warehouse......everything from tools and work clothes thro to gardening stuff.
They are selling rose bushes @ £4.99.
15 miles away is a rose specialist selling bushes @ £12.99.
So.......
Do I need a 30 mile round trip to assure good quality or is 'a rose-a rose' ???

 

[raleighnut]

That question is a bit like "Do I go to Halfords or an independent bike shop for my new bike", you're more likely to get a healthy plant from a specialist plus the choice of varieties will be better at the Rose growers.

 

[Paulus]

Look at the rose bush that you re going to buy and see what condition it is in. If it looks in good nick then buy it. MrsP bought two roses from a seller on Groupon last year and they were in terrible condition. Black spot, very dry. They rallied a bit and then died last winter. Always look at what you are buying. You can get some good bargains from discount warehouses, you can get some shockers.

 

[Dave 123]

If you hit the cheapo shop just as they've had a delivery you might strike it lucky.

6 months time when you want to ask technical advice from a grower you'll go to the specialist.....

It's like not supporting your LBS.

 

[Dave7]

6 months time when you want to ask technical advice from a grower you'll go to the specialist.....
It's like not supporting your LBS.

Not sure what you mean there.
I am happy to pay double the price for the quality and advice......its the 30 mile round trip that makes me pause.

 

[Katherine]

My Woolworths' rose (in my avatar) is still going, always been healthy.

Does the local one sell a rose that you like ? If so, try the local one, if it's not a success, do the 30 mile round trip at a later date.

 

[Dave 123]

Not sure what you mean there.
I am happy to pay double the price for the quality and advice......its the 30 mile round trip that makes me pause.

People are after the cheap alternative (I am too) so they visit these DIY sheds who sell it cheap but have no real knowledge of what they’re selling.

Go for the drive, make a day of it.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Speaking as someone who's worked in people's gardens for many years Roses and Pyrchantha however you spell that are the 2 most hated plants ive had the displeasure of being shredded by.

I hate them

 

[sheddy]

Go local first, but first do some research on what you want - perfume, colour, size, thornless, etc
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=153

They prob won't have what you want, so then go further afield

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Go for the drive, make a day of it.

Shocking advice

Go for the bike ride, make a day of it

 

[Dave 123]

Shocking advice

Go for the bike ride, make a day of it

He may have to cycle back with a big old standard rose.....

 

[mjr]

He may have to cycle back with a big old standard rose.....

Panniers for plants!

 

[rich p]

Buy both and let us know the results in a year!

 

[steveindenmark]

I have a garden full of roses that we have bought and planted ourselves. We always get a good show. This year our 3 best roses have been 3 standards we bought for a pound each at aldis a couple of years ago. If they are cheap enough and look disease free and strong, it is worth a gamble. We have bought a few cheap roses and I dont think we have lost any of them. We have lost a coupe of expensive ones. Roses are hard to kill. My friend cuts his down at the end of the year to about a quarter of their height. He uses a chainsaw but they come back every year.

Dave. If you look further down this section you will see we have a group for gardeners.

 

[Dave7]

I have a garden full of roses that we have bought and planted ourselves. We always get a good show. This year our 3 best roses have been 3 standards we bought for a pound each at aldis a couple of years ago. If they are cheap enough and look disease free and strong, it is worth a gamble. We have bought a few cheap roses and I dont think we have lost any of them. We have lost a coupe of expensive ones. Roses are hard to kill. My friend cuts his down at the end of the year to about a quarter of their height. He uses a chainsaw but they come back every year.

Dave. If you look further down this section you will see we have a group for gardeners.

Yes I go on that section occassionaly but thought the opinion of "ordinary" folk might be better.
Good advice about the roses.....thanks.