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David Austin Roses, are they worth it?

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  • Jane498Jane498 Posts: 1

     I am so disappointed in DEsdemona.  I think I paid $34 and spent $$$$ giving  wonderful soil and conditions. And  this rose is so inadequate.  I'm actually considering trashing  plant as I have limited space to waste on a loser. Not as described . ?

    I had heard so many good things about  David Austin roses but this is cooling my jets

  • Jane498 says:

     I am so disappointed in DEsdemona.  I think I paid $34 and spent $$$$ giving  wonderful soil and conditions. And  this rose is so inadequate.  I'm actually considering trashing  plant as I have limited space to waste on a loser. Not as described . ?

    I had heard so many good things about  David Austin roses but this is cooling my jets

    See original post

     do not give up on this stunning rose my favourite see    imagepics xxx

  • rosemummyrosemummy Posts: 2,010

    most of mine, especially Gertrude Jekyll who is outdoing herself this year are looking good, with the exceptions of MMe Gregoire Staechelin who has never done well after 3 years,and seems to have rust, powdery mildew and has had 1 flower and Zepherine DRouhin, who has had no flowers and has a couple of tiny buds, both are going to be dug up in Autumn and moved to the allotment where there is  hopefully a good spot for them , I think both of my poor performers are being overshadowed by literally  by stronger roses Gertrude and Ispahan

  • EddieleeEddielee Posts: 7

    I have had no problems with my DA roses apart from the fact they the flowers drop super quick naybe lasting 2-3 days at most and several of the roses eg poets wife supposed to be yellow molineux supposed to be orange both of these just look like my Charlotte pale white with a hint of yellow in the middle very disappointing they don't seem to hold there colour 

  • Just caught this thread, having had mixed experience with a selection of DA bare root roses planted last November. Some are doing fine, but like some others have mentioned here am disappointed with Munstead Wood, drooping under too many/heavy blooms. Boscobel, DArcy Bussell and Lady Emma are doing quite well in barrels, tho' needing a bit of staking.

    But I also bought a couple from Trevor White and these are roaring away, especially Compassion which DA also sell, but this is twice the size of their roses and super healthy shiny foliage - not a lot of flowers but such a strong plant that I have every confidence for its 2nd year.

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705

    All your roses will get better with age... Austin roses in particular need 3 seasons growing before making a judgement on them, they can be slow to take off as they need to get those roots right down... by the 3rd year you can often see a very different rose to the one you planted in year 1...  more blooms, better disease resistance, more vigorous growth... and larger flowers, in my experience...  do give them time..

    East Anglia, England
  • Thanks, Marlorena. I get it that roses need time, and do hope DA will improve with time.

    My main point here is re suppliers, that I got all the roses at the same time, but the Trevor White have done so much better than the DA and are also a lot cheaper, so I would totally recommend TW over DA.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,086

    The thing about the English roses bred by David Austin is that they are bred for perfume and colour and flower form and disease resistance and repeat flowering.  It takes a great deal of time and investment over years to produce each one and bring it to market - hence the prices.   Given some TLC and patience they do make magnificent roses in time.

    Compassion was bred by Harkness roses in 1972 and is well established as a good doer but also, given its age, anyone can graft and propagate it and sell it at lower prices than newer varieties which still have Plant Breeder's Rights restrictions.   

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705

    dominia30... I completely agree about Trevor White roses, in fact I try to point people towards them as a first point of call if you are looking for a particular variety, as I have found their grafted roses to be larger with huge roots, and cheaper, compared to other better known suppliers... 

    East Anglia, England
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    I put in 5 DA roses last year. 3 are climbers. I gave them masses of tlc  but they are disappointing

    i am wondering  if we are maybe a bit far north, Maybe they will come away next year.

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
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