I really want to thank everyone for all their input! I wish I had been able to check earlier but bronchitis and asthma had me sidelined for awhile. The two I ordered that are a little iffy for my climate are heirloom and hot cocoa - the two non-Austins I got from heirloom roses. I do have some very busy baby bunnies in my backyard. I bought my daughter a chocolate vine for her "chocolate garden" semi-worried it might become invasive and the bunnies have nibbled it down to almost nothing. I sprinkled garlic around it and they haven't touched it since then (but it's been a whole two days - they might get hungry enough to brave the garlic still, but I did the same thing in my veggie garden and they haven't touched the lettuce or spinach). They're really almost too small for a fence to work. they just leap through the neighbors fence at high speed like it's not even there. If I found a small enough chicken wire that might work to slow them down a little bit though. I'm thinking my dogs and friendly neighborhood hawk probably slow them down the most. The bunnies are under the neighbor's shed (yes they are fun to watch, but not eating my plants - there's plenty of dandelions to go around) and I've noticed they're not crossing my backyard, but staying as much in the bushes and as close to "home" as possible. So since the austins are going in the new "sunrise" garden which is way across my yard, past the the lab, past the ameircan eskimo, past the hawk, past the owls...those might be relatively rabbit safe and safe for the zone so I'll try putting those in the ground (and watching for bunny damage daily) and potting the heirloom and hot cocoa (just because they're borderline for the zone and will eventually end up in a more "bunny friendly" area when planted permanently). Any recommendations on whether I should overwinter them in the garage or back porch and let them go dormant or try to bring them in the house for the winter? Which have you had the most success with?

Location of the nursery will make its production costs vary. Some of the reasons most rose production fields are in SoCal are: long growing season produces bigger plants; dry climate reduces fungicide costs; proximity to the Mexican border reduces labor costs to a pittance (although I've noticed up here that even agricultural fields within sight of the Canadian border are worked by people conversing in Spanish); cheap water supply from the Colorado River (at the expense of the rural intermountain west where the water comes from); and no need for heated hoophouses in the warm climate. Growers in other locations will face different pressures - cold winters require use of heated hoophouses, the supply of people willing to do the work will be lower, rain during the growing season requires use of fungicides, and no cheap plentiful federally subsidized irrigation water. As well as local land costs and property taxes, insurance regulations and minimum wage rates which vary by state and by country. Then there's the costs of shipping the darn things. Producers are being hit very very hard by the recent hikes in diesel and gas prices. Larger plants always cost more to ship, and better packaging always costs more to produce to pack the rose into, and then to ship. I don't know that it's so true that you get what you pay for, but you sure as heck don't get what you don't pay for. Sometimes one company can charge less for a product because they're producing a lesser product. I don't know much about the different nurseries being discussed here so I'm not saying that one or another is producing a lower quality product. But it's something to keep in mind. Price is just one factor in the value of a product, and roses are living things that have to be cared for properly at every step of the way from greenhouse to your garden. I also care very much about how a company treats its employees and its land and its community and its customers, these are also factors in the value of the product. As well as - are the roses guaranteed to be mosaic virus free? it's more expensive to obtain virus-free propagation material. Are they guaranteed to be true to name? it's very easy for the workers to get labels mixed up, particularly when you're using a labor force that is functionally illiterate, or that doesn't see why it matters what name is on a rose. Workers who care about keeping the names straight cost more. It's a very good question! meaning, one with a very complex answer. Each person will have to decide for themselves what factors are most important to them.

I bought quite a few from ARE and they were fine each time. Will definitely buy from them again. I love the prices at Chamblee's and most of them arrived blooming and in great shape, but for me, it was only a one or two day trip versus Heirloom's which has sometimes taken two weeks on UPS. In fact, I just got a notice that UPS is delayed again but at least it's not 100+! But, my Chamblee's orders arrived with a white coating on them which the nice man on the phone said was a fungicide and not to worry. There is a bit more prickly man there but thankfully he didn't answer the phone, lol! Cotto, I have a feeling that is who you spoke with. I've spent thousands, yikes, with Heirloom and their customer service has been quite good, though they have had some website issues. Theirs arrive defoliated so look like little sticks versus Chamblees with blooms but fungicide and limited selection. I usually can't find what I need in stock at A Reverence for Roses but the bands arrived quickly with the plants big and in great shape. They are organic I believe. I agree with Holly regarding the one not being my first choice. Mine arrived as frail little things, soaking wet, and covered in black patches from the trip. Maybe it was just the packing but there was no comparison in the size also. Love their selection though. I just started preparing an order a few days ago for Northland so excited to try them!

I'm glad for everyone! Going by the most recent communications sent to you Chamblee's customers from them regarding the mite outbreak, I have to say my faith has been restored in their rose nursery. My patronage of Chamblee's has gone back about 20 years. It has shown to be a more than satisfactory mail order nursery....excellent quality roses, prices that can't be beat, and friendly Texas folks in charge. I am relieved to know that they are indeed the responsible folks I believed them to be. Moses