How to Shop for Roses from Mail-Order Catalogs and Websites

Roses can give your yard a wonderful splash of color. And, there are so many varieties you are sure to find a rose that will suit your needs. Here are some tips to help you make smart choices when you are buying your roses from a mail-order catalog or online.

There are thousands of rose cultivators who offer their roses in catalogs and on websites. You will find a larger variety from these resources than any local garden shop or nursery can hope to carry. Sellers who use catalogs and websites to sell their roses fill a critical need. It is possible that you can find every type of rose you would like to grow from one individual seller. However, you need to know what to look for. You do not want to get the roses in the mail, go to all the trouble to plant them, and then have them die.

Ask other rose gardeners that you know if they have dealt with any mail-order or online companies that sell roses. Try to use only those companies that people you know in person have used. This is a good way to avoid buying sub-par roses.

If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There is no deal good enough if the plants end up in your compost pile. Again, ask your friends if they have bought from the discount company. If they have, ask if you can see the roses that were purchased from these companies. In this way, you can see what you will be getting. Ask them what they have had to do to get the roses to thrive.

Look at the same type of rose in several different catalogs or on several different websites. See how the descriptions compare. If the discount rose gardener makes claims the others do not, you may be dealing with a con-artist.

Check out the front of the catalog and read the introduction from the rose gardeners. You should also look at the order blank. If the growers are selling good roses, there should be specifics on the size, age, and grade of the roses. The shipping information and whether the plants are own-rooted or grafted should be available. There should also be detailed descriptions of the replacement guarantees and any substitution policies. If you can not find this information, move on to the next catalog.

Learn what the descriptions of the roses really mean. For example, if a grower says the flower has a "light scent", the rose probably has very little fragrance. And, if the catalog description says the flowers are "exhibition-quality" then the flowers will be beautiful, but the plants may not be suitable to use in landscaping projects. Be sure you are getting the full picture.

Do not be so overwhelmed by the good qualities or promises in the description that you miss what is not included. Terms such as "fragrant," "disease-resistant," and "attractive foliage," are some of the desirable qualities you want your roses to have.

And, for the best selection, it is advisable to purchase as soon as possible after the catalogs are published. Your roses should not be shipped until it is time to plant in your area. But, ordering early will help guarantee you will get the roses you desire.

Buying your roses from a mail-order catalog or online is a good way to get quality roses for a lower price. You will also be able to choose from a much larger variety. But, be smart and do not let yourself be swindled. Hopefully, these tips will help you make smart purchases when you are looking for roses to plant in your yard.

SOURCE

Editors Rodale Organic Gardening Books. "Rodale Organic Gardening Basics Volume 4: Roses. St. Martin's Press. 2000. Pennsylvania.