Are DA now having problems because they are coming to the end of the original breeders lines? I know it takes many years to bring a rose to fruition , and have those that have taken over not the skills to continue at that level? Would that account for the poor show of new roses over the last few years?
@purplerallim No, I don't think it's that. I suspect the pandemic and labour shortages have something to do with it, also I read they are trying to align bare root releases in the UK with the US market, so we all get them at the same time, this may be a progression towards that aim.. Their hybridiser is still with them, has been for over 30 years, .. so nothing's changed there, I just think the late Mr Austin was a true Rosarian, but those in management now are business people.. that's how I see it..
Talking of influences, a short video from Great Comp garden in Kent appeared in my youtube feed last night, for some reason, showcasing their shrubby Salvia collection... I was so taken by some that I was straight onto the case and ordered a load from Weston's Salvias.. I feel Google are following me around as I was reading about them on the English Garden website just a few moments before.. their top Salvia was 'Peter Vidgeon', which I did not order though..
It will save me money as I don't order potted rose from DA. It is just too expensive and Chelsea show is not near my bday anyway. By the time it is bare root release, I will know some feedback on it and wont get tricked by their beautiful photos.
Has DA had it’s day do you think? Overpriced, inconsistent advice, increasingly unreliable customer service, depriving us of some superb older roses, uninspiring new releases.. They seem intent on trashing a previously excellent and well-deserved brand reputation, which makes no commercial sense to me in the long-term. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the rosarians tearoom!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
OK thanks @Marlorena that sounds plausible, but as our growing seasons are somewhat different to American ones, their's cover such a large range, it's a bit of a push to do it.🤔
Got my handbook of roses in post just now. It is Queen of Sweden on front page again. I guess they feel very proud that they managed to breed one upright rose which doesnt flop all over lol
They made a killing off the potted Elizabeth last year, didn't they? It sold out repeatedly, each time they got more stock in, over last growing season. So there are plenty of people who will pay through the nose for the latest release, and they are counting on coronation fever (where's yours, @Nollie?!) to separate people from their senses again.
Even with the 15% discount their ordinary older bareroots are £19.13 each now.🤨
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No, I don't think it's that. I suspect the pandemic and labour shortages have something to do with it, also I read they are trying to align bare root releases in the UK with the US market, so we all get them at the same time, this may be a progression towards that aim..
Their hybridiser is still with them, has been for over 30 years, .. so nothing's changed there, I just think the late Mr Austin was a true Rosarian, but those in management now are business people.. that's how I see it..
I feel Google are following me around as I was reading about them on the English Garden website just a few moments before.. their top Salvia was 'Peter Vidgeon', which I did not order though..
By the time it is bare root release, I will know some feedback on it and wont get tricked by their beautiful photos.
Even with the 15% discount their ordinary older bareroots are £19.13 each now.🤨