PSA: time to order your David Austin roses, and here’s the 20% off code

So, you know I don’t do promotions and I’m certainly not getting any kickbacks from David Austin for writing this, but people always ask me about my roses when they’re blooming and by then it’s too late to order.

Because you should order right NOW. Preferably by Friday, March 11th when the 20% off code expires.

 

Everyone seems to think growing roses is hard– some old story about you can’t raise roses and children at the same time. Here’s the truth, if your roses aren’t flourishing, you’re buying the wrong roses.

And that’s why I’m OBSESSED with David Austin Roses.  Cultivated in England, DA roses are almost completely disease resistant, flourish in many climates and… here’s the best part, bloom from May until October (unlike most varieties which bloom only once or twice a year). I usually don’t even give them rose food and I prune them relentlessly and with no finesse– and they bloom and bloom and bloom. Wow, I do sound like a spokesperson.

Dollar per bloom, nothing else competes with roses in your garden. At full price, a rose costs $29. That rose will last at least 20 years and produce thousands of blooms each year, which means you’re paying less than a penny per rose even in the first year. Kinda makes petunias look pricey.

Not all of my roses are David Austin’s. Above you’ll see Zephirine Drouhin which I planted by the garden seat because they are thornless. I ordered them from Jackson & Perkins. I also have some Icebergs, a Don Juan Climber (both in the photo below), Social Climber, Peace Rose, Joseph’s Coat and a few others.

The David Austin Roses are distinctive for their cuplike blooms and many petals

So, if you’re new to David Austin, this is what I would do: go to their website and drool. If you live close you can come over and borrow my catalog. Then scroll down the menu on the left to Special Offers (or just click on that link I so kindly created for you). You’ll see several ‘Collections.’ The collections save you $20-60 off the individual prices, so when you add the 20% off coupon on top of that you’re saving money all over the place.

You can’t go wrong with any collection. I ordered the ‘Highly Recommended’ six rose collection. I’m most excited about the brand new Olivia Rose that “Insofar as we can tell, is entirely free from any disease.” If that doesn’t make your heart flutter, I don’t know what will.

If you’re buying climbers (and you should, and you should probably have Ben build you a rose arch— OK, now I’m promoting), I’d buy Collection P. You can see the Graham Thomas above. And I have the other three in the collection and adore them all. They just introduced a new climber: Lady of the Lake. Sadly, it’s already sold out for the year. Which just proves there are other crazy rose people like me.

You can find DA roses that thrive in the shade, in the unrelenting sun, hardy to zone 4, perfect for coastal locations, for hedges and pergolas and of course, for garden beds. If you want to ask me about any particular variety, I’m happy to answer questions, but I’ll probably just say, “It’s gorgeous! It blooms and blooms and fills my vases and we scatter rose petals everywhere…” You get the idea. I will say I especially love the Mary Rose, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Graham Thomas, Jude the Obscure, Heritage, Boscobel, Ambridge Rose, The Generous Gardener, Golden Celebration (all pictured below).

OK, go! The code is UHC. Get them ordered and I’ll post a planting tutorial as soon as mine arrive.

Or, just stop by a pick some of mine this summer. I’m happy to share.