So the Delbards are at K-mart now. That should solve the overpricing problem with Delbards at nurseries in short order.

Delbard has some good roses but I never saw why I should pay $40 or so for a potted specimen. Good shopping Ginnybee!

Yup, in Kmart katoomba too. But watch out - the ones there had been stored for some time by somebody; the stems were beginning to get that grey look and a few had the beginnings of longitudinal wrinkling. I trust the Kmart person in charge who said they had put them out as soon as they arrived but somewhere along the line after digging up they had been stored. They were full price at $14.95 but it's no bargain if they die or languish.

I bought a Grimaldi at Garden Week last year from a reputable rose grower here. It was covered in blooms and I succumbed to it - but have to say it's a less-than-spectacular rose for me. Yes, it produces flowers but they I don't particularly like their form - open very early and a bit blowsy - and no smell.

I paid $25 for an impulse buy. I think your $12, Jan, is just about the limit I'd pay for it - but maybe you'll have more luck with it than I have.
Barb

The 2 roses I bought are a little bit tired I think for the reason you gave Meryl2 they had only had them in for a few days one of them has got wrinkling on it I checked before buying, keep docket in case of trouble & I will get refund I hope this won't be nesessary, I soaked them in seasol mix before planting heres hoping
Jan.

This afternoon I thought I'd check out the local K-Mart to see if they had any Delbard roses. I did find some but most of them looked dead. However, I found a Camille Pissarro that looked like it might make it, but I, too, am keeping the docket. At the moment my poor specimen is soaking in a bucket of water with a bit of seasol in it. I wish myself good luck.

Jan and the rest of you, you are so baad. I spent all of yesterday resisting the trip to Cairns to look at the Kmart roses but after reading that they had Delbards in when I was online this morning I gave in.
Bought Camille Pissaro, Dioressence, Le Rouge et le Noir then succumbed to Betty Boop. They were all $14.95 though, I see that that is the price direct from Rankins. They looked alright though a little dry. Mine are soaking and will go straight into the garden as we don't have to worry about frosts here.
I hope you get as much joy out of Grimaldi as I have had in the last year. Along with Gold Bunny he is my very best performer.
Cheers
Judy

Had a look in Warrawong (near Wollongong) today - was SO proud of myself as I did not buy anything - a lot of DA's at $7.30 but the guy told me they had been there since Mothers day (but what year I asked). Waiting for my orders from the nurseries that I know will be in better order than the poor dried out lot for $7.30.