A lot of DAs will climb if tied to a support. If allowed to grow unsupported they will sort of fountain out and be shorter, It depends on how you train them.

It is too late here in Zone 6 to plant bareroots, but I don't know about Zone 5 . Are you into warm weather yet?

In one sense, it is never too late to plant bareroots, but I certainly wouldn't recommend planting them after it gets warm. The David Austin site lists March and April as bareroot delivery time for Illinois. May is delivery time for places like Minnesota or Maine or Alaska. I'd worry that any bareroots available now would not be very healthy and might not grow that well.

As to Graham Thomas the shrub and Graham Thomas the climber, they are the same plant--just grown differently, as seil notes.

Kate

Don't say that, Kate! I just got my DAs from DA yesterday, lol! They are bare roots. I ordered them in February and they don't let you pick a date they just say they'll send them when it's time to plant them in your zone. Well I finally called them last week and told them to send them asap as I thought it was getting a little late for bare roots here too. I don't know when they would have decided I could plant. They go into the ground tomorrow and I'm hoping it stays cool for a little while.

Good luck, Seil. Hope it stays cool. Right off hand, the worst I can think of is warm weather would make the exposed part break out too soon in leaves and buds--before the plant had time to really settle in and develop a good root system. Under those circumstances, I might be inclined to de-bud the plants for at least several months--and I'd keep an eye on them in case they dry out too quickly and often because they don't have a good set of roots yet. Don't really know since I've never planted bareroots this late, but I'm glad you got on the phone and prodded DA to get those sent! I always get my bareroots in late March or very early April.

You two will have to let us know how things go--in case we get sent bareroots late in the future. We will learn from you. : )

Kate

I just called Austin Roses a few days ago. They said it was too late for northern Illinois. They would send if I wished but with no warranty.

Thanks everyone. I'll stick with contain roses for now. I'll order some bareroot next year.

Seil, I went through the same problem with DA last year. When I call them in April they told me that they weren't planning to ship my order until mid May. They did ship it out right away after I ask them to. Guess you just have to call them to get your roses.

Patty, John just posted a sale at Wideside Gardens, some of their DAs are marked down to $10.78, I ordered 4 last night.

Thanks summersrythym!

You're welcome dear! :-)

Wayside Garden website 10% off code: FABWG.

Also, DA website 10% off code: BHG14. Just ordered Gertrude Jekyll potted rose from them and the code works.

Joopster and Seil, I usually specify on my DA order when I want my bareroots delivered (late March/early April). They always follow my directions. So maybe next time put down a general date and see if they come through more promptly for you.