I have 12" of new snow in my yard, and my mail order roses are sitting on my front porch!

[hedgehog]

I haven't opened the box, I figure as long as they don't freeze, they'll do fine until the yard thaws and dries out enough to let me plant them.

[TygrBright]

1. Depends on what kind of roses they are, but likely they'll be fine...

...there are a few heirloom tea varieties that will not tolerate much cold, but if you're in a place that gets snow, likely you wouldn't have bought them. Keep them from freezing or drying out in dessicating winds and they'll get by.

reassuringly,
Bright

[malta blue]

2. Hi Hedgehog - I am ordering some roses myself

so I will ask you - Is mid June too late to start? We are getting a new house at he end of May and I wanted to get some roses going...

Thanks :)

[hedgehog]

3. Some companies will let you specify a delivery date, but you have

to order pretty soon. Alternatively, buy some potted roses at your local nursery and keep them well watered until you get a chance to plant them. Over the years, I've had about the same luck with mail order bare root and potted roses. I just use mail order because of the greater variety available.

I'm pretty sure Jackson & Perkins has a contract with the United Farm Workers; at least they used to.

Heirloom Roses are all self rooted but they ship a very small plant that will take a year or so to come up to size.

[malta blue]

4. Thanks for the information. I may start with

potted because my thumb is not yet very green....
:hi: