Jeri, Oops, I didn't think about he Dr. Huey being virused. If I get a Dutchesse de Brabant, I'll get an own-root one. As far as the two BB's that I've already gotten, I can put them in an area where they can look pretty and if they're virused they'll go into the trash.

A grouping does look good. I'd plant them into the garden now so the roots can get established. Even the hardiest roses can die the first winter if the roots have not had an opportunity to grow into the surrounding soil. August is a really hot dry time to transplant a potted rose. Unless you water regularly and deep you could lose them especially if the soil falls from the roots when you transplant. Nature size and planting distance is determined by your growing zone. Pruning can be easy. After each flush of bloom, allow the flowers to fade some. Use a pair of hedge clippers and remove the dead blooms along with a inch or so of cane to shape the bush. In a few weeks new buds will form along with new growth. You'll have more flowers within a month. Yearly pruning should be done in spring. Remove winter killed canes and dieback along with any damaged ones. Cut back as far as you want to shape the bush and keep it in bounds. As much as many rosarians complain about Knock Out being the only roses available in many garden centers, their ease of growing and hardiness encourages many to grow roses again. The desire to grow roses soon entices them to try other varieties.

Hi Sarabell Welcome to another Nebraskan gardener on GW! I totally agree that it would be best to buy your plants from Roses Unlimited for several reasons. First, RU has very substantial gallon-sized potted plants and own root are generally a better bet for our cold zone. Queen of Sweden grows well in my Lincoln yard on own roots. Austins don't tend to die to the ground for me, but in the early years they can get a fair bit of winter kill and you may need to trim them back in the spring to a foot or two. My two QoS bushes are quite tall (well over 6 feet) and narrow - maybe 2 feet or a little more wide. Second, I've had some of the problems Hoovb has mentioned from David Austin in their bareroots (grafted or ownroot). Even though Dr. Huey grows well in our alkaline soil, the plants from David Austin direct have a higher than average fail/death rate for me, and the last one I got from them (Munstead Wood) arrived bone dry and crunchy. Third reason, whenever possible I like to support our independent and smaller rose companies that sell quality products. We just lost Vintage Roses this year, and I like to do everything I can to contribute to the ongoing success of the great companies we have left. With the international craze for DA roses, that company isn't in any serious risk for the foreseeable future. Besides, Pat Henry at Roses Unlimited is such a lovely person and very helpful in discussing rose options with you if you need that personal touch. Finally, since you're in Nebraska, we could talk about adding your roses to a bulk order that Roses Unlimited offers that cuts half off the price of shipping. A rose buddy in Omaha and I have done this for several years to make up the 45 or so roses required for a bulk order, and with Vintage sadly out of commission, that shouldn't be a problem for a group spring RU order. I'm in Lincoln and would probably have them shipped here if you're interested, and then you could pop over and pick them up at an agreed-upon time when convenient in spring. If you're interested, feel free to email me privately at my GW email address (I think I have that enabled), and be patient as I only check that email address maybe once a month. Cynthia

I bought six of these about ten years ago and was down to my last one. Just found rose rosette in it this evening. Was planning on ordering more because I certainly can't propagate it now~ Drat! It's a great little rose. Can't imagine why it's no longer available.