The roses they were selling in Canton were the leftovers from the huge Tyler Rose Festival in October. The ones I bought from in front of the Tyler store looked great but they were full price....I guess they lowered them to $15 because I saw them in Canton in November and they were full price. Mine still look great. I havent had any virused ones from DA and I have ordered from them for a number of years. I had a few in full all day sun and this summer did the young ones in but Mary Rose, a large DA I got for $2 a few years back from Teas Nursery in Houston [yes, $2! They made a mistake but honored the price as thats what I was told] It is one of the handful of roses that survived in that bed in this horrible summer we had. I have just sent in my spring order with DA. I decided to not get any own roots as I just wasnt sure enough of how they would perform. Maybe those of you who are trying the own roots from DA will let the forum know how they do. Judith

I have Abraham Darby - zone 5 just like you. In terms of vase life... Not super long lasting, but that fragrance. Ooof. Plus your plant once established will give you a good supply to replace those that give up in the vase. Darcey Bussel is an EXCELLENT ROSE. BUY IT. Don't look back! It's a variety that's also sold as a "garden rose" to us floral designers and it's a stunning red/crimson double. Gertrude Jekyll - Supposed to be magnificent in our climate. I can't speak on vase life, but I'd expect to be on the same lines. The biggest thing on extending vase life... is when you cut your roses - immediately put them in water. I don't cut mine until they are just about to open or even closed, this is how they are shipped in the industry. Also, make some homemade floral solution. lukewarm water, tsp of sugar, and a few drops vodka in your average size vase is the best solution. The sugar feeds the flowers, the vodka inhibits the production of ethylene by the flower, and the temperature helps your flowers absorb more water. Bleach solution I only use on more tube-like stemmed flowers - think gerbs and sunflowers. Give them a fresh cut with a knife - not snips. Snips effectively crush the xylem and phloem (tubules) and cause your flowers to not drink as much as they could as opposed to using a sharp knife (no squished stems) to cut them before putting them in your vase. I remove thorns and leaves that would be under water... anything above water - leave it (unless ugly). Unnecessary openings reduce vase life above the surface of the water.

Since this thread has popped back up I should say that DA did replace the damaged roses and the replacements are awesome. I haven't seen any of the DA body bag type roses at our Whole Foods lately or anywhere else. If I saw some I would probably get some even though I definitely don't need anymore DA roses this year lol. I went ahead and ordered Lady of Shallot from DA because I really wanted that one and hadn't found it elsewhere grafted.

Rebecca- your roses are gorgeous but so much work. I live in Massachusetts. It is so difficult to even dig a hole 10 inches deep with all the rock, boulders and ledge so I try to buy only own root roses. I have gotten some wonderful own root roses from DA and have some more scheduled for delivery next week. I hope they add more own root to their collections. I recently ordered 'Queen of Sweden' and 'Windermere' which is by far my healthiest DA rose and covers herself with delicate soft blush pink blooms from early summer till fall. She is cane hardy in my Z5b-6a garden. The only negative is lack of the "to die for" strong perfume scent that Austins are so known for. sharon