Forum home› The potting shed

best rose to give at Christmas

dan_deliondan_delion Posts: 4
in The potting shed
Hi. I am totally new to this but just wondered if anyone has a suggestion of a couple of varieties of rose that are good to give as Christmas presents. I am trying to go green this year and just thought that  roses might make nice gifts. Thanks Dan 
«1

Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,004
    pretty much any rose will be happy being planted in January - good time to do it - so take your pick. If you want one that looks like more than a dead stick as a gift, it would be a lot more challenging. 
    How would you be actually giving it? Bearing in mind they wouldn't want to be wrapped for very long or left in a box under a tree in a warm room for a week, drying out? And posting could be tricky, which is to say pricey.
    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,130
    It's a nice idea Dan but do you know that the people you'll be giving them to will want a rose?
    I know I'd have a dilemma if someone kindly gave me a bright orange rose - no orange allowed in my garden.

    You could give a gift card from a reputable supplier, then they can choose their own.
    I know David Austin has gift cards and I'd imagine other reputable sellers like Peter Beales would too

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,586
    Hello @dan.myatt that is a lovely idea. Do you have any type of roses in mind? eg shrub, climbing etc. Do the recipients have favourite colours perhaps and somewhere to plant them? Just one or two things to think about.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,426
    Nice idea... your recipients might be happy with one of these..

    https://www.countrygardenroses.co.uk/shop/view/2072-Glad-Tidings-(Floribunda-Rose)/

    https://www.countrygardenroses.co.uk/shop/view/2220-Happy-Christmas-Hybrid-Tea-Rose/
    East Anglia, England
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,478
    It depends on the recipient. As an enthusiastic rose grower I am very fussy and might resent something being imposed on me.

    Only bare-root roses are usually available now, although you may find some potted roses in good garden centres leftover from summer.

    I would only give a rose as a gift if the intended recipient is sufficiently familiar with roses not to get offended by a bare-root dead-looking stick, that they know what to do with it to prepare it for planting, have a garden within which to plant it (or are experienced enough to grow well in a large pot) and share my taste/I know what types and colours of roses they like.

    Perhaps you would be safer with a voucher from a well-known supplier such as David Austin and let them choose their own? At worst, if they really don’t want a rose they could at least  themselves some gardening tools or a new pair of gloves.

    If you want to go ahead and buy them a rose, perhaps stick to something easy to grow and not too large, such as a floribunda.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,070
    If you know that the recipient would be happy with a rose and you know what colours they like and how much space (and ability to care for it) they have, you could order one for delivery later (Jan-March is OK for bare-root, potted could be later) and make them a gift card or something with a picture of it, the expected delivery date and instructions on how to plant and aftercare if you think they'd need and appreciate that.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • dan_deliondan_delion Posts: 4
    Thanks thats all really helpful. I hadn't fully appreciated the significance of personal preference for colour or even space for planting. Typical me I was just thinking how nice it would be to get a rose as a gift, but then my garden is pretty eclectic. 
    Having done some googling  I found https://www.englishroses.co.uk/ who sell an E gift card. So hopefully my friends can choose whatever suits their garden and  everyone will be happy. 
    This is my first post on here so many thanks for the properly helpful advice. 



  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,478
    You’re very welcome Dan, didn’t mean to put you off, I would be thrilled with the gift of a rose (voucher!). Incidentally Country Garden Roses mentioned earlier, also do e-vouchers, they have a good reputation.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • dan_deliondan_delion Posts: 4
    Thanks I did look but couldn't find them. I will  take another look as haven't actually brought them yet. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,478
    Hidden right at the bottom of the page in small print! Here you go..

    https://www.countrygardenroses.co.uk/shop/166-Gift-Vouchers/
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Sign In or Register to comment.