Hi Sue, Pickering is the best source remaining here in Canada for Austin's reliably grafted on multiflora. Unfortunately, they have been scaling back their selection for many years now and have not carried any newer DA varities from about 2009 to present. Personally, I would generally give Hortico a miss as they are terribly unreliable and also procure a large portion of their varieties from other growers (mainly in the U.S.), so it is not uncommon to see them ship plants on Dr. Huey understock, despite what they may claim to the contrary. Huey does not thrive in the majority of Ontario soils and in general, the Huey understock is not well suited to our climate. They will usually begin to noticeably decline after 2-3 years. Around the same time that most roses are just coming into their own. You can order some DA varieties on own-root direct from DA of course, provided you are willing to pay the borderline criminal prices they charge for bare-root roses and shipping. Vigorous varieties of own-root roses actually do pretty well here in Ontario, but do take a little longer to establish.

By all means, do plant them in your garden now. Make sure you water them in well. Since it is so warm there, I'd provide them with some afternoon shade for about a week. Place a lawn chair over them or buy some shade cloth and rig up some stakes to attach it to. Since it is so warm, keep an eye on the roses so they don't dry out during the next week or two--but don't drown them either. That can kill them as easily as too little water can. You have some beauties there. Good luck! Kate

Kate, our shy Pilgrims are indeed exquisite so I suppose they're worth all the hoping and waiting. pelicanhead, I was just looking around the garden and wanted to share that two of my 1st DA year roses are upright bloomers. Boscobel & Heathcliff. Boscobel is a wonderful repeat bloomer, very fragrant, just a really swell rose. Heathcliff has nicely colored and shaped blooms that last a good while, but only fair repeat and not much fragrance.

I regularly use alfalfa meal. In spring, I give all roses alfalfa meal and epsom salts - also use Mills Magic Rose Mix which has it in the mix. I bought Pegasus at Chamblees in their sale bin and was asking them what to do with Graham Thomas, which is a huge healthy shrub that barely gives me any blooms - they said mix Carl Pool BR 61 at twice the rate. I just did that yesterday but its probably too late in the year to see any results. My other Pegasus was in full sun - and it gets hot in Texas! - so I am going to place it where its not in hot afternoon sun and give it plenty of room. Its apricot blooms are really beautiful and I would like to grow this one well, so hoping someone who grows it will comment. Thanks for your comment. Judith