B and Q roses

monamodu

Hello all, I’m new to gardening as I’ve just moved into a new house with my first ever garden. I’d like to plant some roses and have a very small budget, but I saw bare root roses in B and Q for £5. Anybody have any experience with these, are they a bargain or is it a case of you get what you pay for? The only description is pink and bushy, no  Species name or anything 

amancalledgeorge

Roses is not the place to save money from. Plenty of reputable online retailers that sell quality bare roots. 

Apart from David Austin, I have had great service and quality from Trevor White Roses. Unfortunately because the way roses are produced the money goes to the quality of bare root stock and good grafting. So buying those sad plastic wrapped (and sometimes covered in wax) bare roots from the shops is a false economy as they won't come to much. 

At the end of it all, a rose bush can provide flowers for decades, spending £13 on a plant is great value and you can pick a variety that will truly work in your garden.

B3

I got a bundle of 5 off a shopping channel a few years ago and they were good value. I can't remember what I paid but they were named varieties and they did well. I agree entirely about the waxed ones you see. £5 is expensive if that's what they are. Few of them survive. 
Pick one of two quality roses. It'll pre work out cheaper in the long run.

Helen P3

I don't know about B&Q but about 30 years ago, I found in Safeway many such roses in little boxes.  I had 2 young children at the time and didn't fancy visiting the local GC, so I bought just 3 of them.  One was Peace, the other an Iceberg and the third, whose name, unfortunately, I have forgotten, gives the most beautiful bon-bon-pink flowers imaginable. 

I still have them and they're all tirelessly floriferous.  Moreover, over the years I've taken many cuttings from them for my own garden and those of friends.

Perhaps the luck of the desperate!  

purplerallim

Just before lock down I panic bought two climbing white roses ( un named) from B&Q They did early on suffer from powdery mildew, but after help from here it sorted itself out and continues to grow. They are now about 4ft tall, with healthy green leaves, but have never flowered yet. So not sure about recommending them.🤔

newbie77

I am not particular about from where to buy rose from, though i would always want to know the name of variety so i can search its eventual size, disease resistance, fragrance etc. Usually with good care plants from B&Q do well eventually. For example if "rhapsody in blue" is available in B&Q for cheap, i would buy it but I wont buy a rose which just says blue/purple rose and not tell what it is.

Fran IOM

I have accumulated a few roses over the last few years. I just plant them and hope for the best. I have several DA roses which have all been presents and others I have bought from B&Q, Tesco and Poundland. I am not particularly bothered about knowing the name of them. They have all performed as well as one another so I don't think you would be disappointed if you decided on the cheaper variety to save costs at least I wasn't. 
Welcome to the forum!

amancalledgeorge

Of course it's worth thinking about the long term existence of professional rose operations like Austin, we want new varieties and all the work that goes into making them but also want bargain basement plants. The two approaches are incompatible. Frankly I'd rather save for the not exactly extortionate amount of £13 and buy from a place that cares about standards and offers professional service. B&Q is good for buying chipboard and screws. But I totally understand if people don't want to think about the long term effect of their buying habits. 

amancalledgeorge

Like everything else in life, it's about choices and about how much mental space one wants to devote to one particular section of their life. 

edhelka

I wouldn't buy so called bodybag roses with roots in a bag and canes covered in wax. They are not worth it.

I agree with @amancalledgeorge Trevor White is very good with the best value for money.

To get the most from a little budget, I would buy shrub roses (rather than bush - which would be, most probably, hybrid teas). Hybrid teas grow upright and you would need more of them to fill the space available and they also bloom less. With shrubs, you'll get nice bushy plants covered in blooms. A good choice for a beginner from Trevor White's website would be 'Octavia Hill' - grows to approx. 90x90cm, blooms a lot and is very healthy.

You could also check your local GC if they still have some potted roses. They would be significantly discounted.

Slum

amancalledgeorge said:

Of course it's worth thinking about the long term existence of professional rose operations like Austin, we want new varieties and all the work that goes into making them but also want bargain basement plants. The two approaches are incompatible. 

I disagree. There is good money to be made servicing both of those markets. The b&q roses will come from a professional operation due to the sheer volume required.