Quick question about roses -

[OliviaMMumsnet]

Can I buy root-ball roses now and expect them to do well??
TIA

[Weegiemum]

We bought 4 on moving in to our new house about this time last year and they've got buds on now. Hope it works for you, Olivia!

[OliviaMMumsnet]

Thanks WeegieMum -
Am torn - am giving as a gift...
They are proper poncy ones...

[Dawnywoo]

Hi Olivia, if they are proper poncy ones, (David Austin?) they should be fine, although it is slightly past optimum time for them this year. However, they should be seen as an investment and will give many years of pleasure. If it's a gift, maybe print off some instructions on how best to care for them / get the best from them. The supplier should be able to assist with this, or search tinterweb for instructions. Good luck, and i'm sure it will be a much appreciated gift.

[funnyperson]

Do you mean bare root roses or roses growing in pots?
Lots of the garden centres have David Austin roses growing in pots at the moment and they are probably better than a bare root one if you can buy the pot and give it person. However as spring has been so late this year, I se that David Austin are still accepting orders for bare root roses because of the late spring, and I think this means they are fine to plant!
www.davidaustinroses.com/english/Advanced.asp?PageId=1988
The free catalogue is a joy, and if ordering bare root, do remember the myccorhizal fungi!

[onefewernow]

Olivia, the weather is so awful it hardly matters- the reason not may is the heat, but we have cold and rain, which is good for planting.

I moved a large climbing rise in awful heat last may when we moved. It lost its leaves but recovered fine. With hindsight I should have clipped it over to remove some thirsty top growth. But it recovered and flowered by July.