What a great thread, I think Burlington and Hummingbird should also be on your list.

I’ve had positive experiences with everyone on your list who ships to Washington, would like to give an especially high rating to High Country Roses!

Great list! One Love Roses also has some listed for below $25, esp if they're ogr and not David Austins.

Burlington Roses should most definitely be on that list!

I just looked at Heirloom’s current offerings and was astonished by the prices! if you order one of the Austins and add the custom name stake, its gonna cost you $74 plus another $15 for UPS Ground service. I know those are gallon size plants, but $90 for one plant?? ouch.

@User ouch is right. on one of the reasons i have stopped looking at heirloom’s website is their crazy prices

Heirloom's prices appall me.

Brandon, you should definitely add Burlington Rose Nursery

Burlington Rose Nursery (burlingtonroses.com)

to your list. Nor only reasonably-priced, but a long-time supporter of older roses, who does business in the tradition of the late Ralph Moore.

If you're interested in older minis, Mountain Valley Growers is a good choice. Every rose is $6.95. Very small plants with great rootballs.

I just heard from a long time customer of Heirloom, who said he keeps a list of rose he wants, then when there is a sale, he orders and gets free shipping. He says that on average he pays $28.50 with free shipping for each rose. But it requires patience for him get what he wants for the price he is willing to pay. There are several roses that only they carry and I am with Paul, I just can't manage their regular prices. But I also know that there are people who firmly believe that price = quality and feel better buying more expensive items. While they always worry about things they bought that were less expensive. If a bigger price reduces your worry, then it is worth it for you.

As a long-time customer of Heirloom who has been horrified by their price increases... One thing you might consider, to put it in perspective. If you buy a rose for $40 versus $20, presumably the rose is going to be with you for 10-20 years (or more) if you end up liking it. That's less than the difference of one lunch going out to eat once at an inexpensive restaurant.

Heirloom is showing Amazing Grace (I have been wanting that and Tranquility for awhile now)at 55.00. Even if it comes back in stock AND goes on sale I won’t buy it. Too much. I’m done with Heirloom. Those prices just don’t sit right with me.

I ordered Morning Jewel from Heirloom this year, because it was the only place I could find it. My credit card had a fraud alert a few days later, and Heirloom just sent me a letter now several months later saying their website was hacked and credit card numbers were being stolen for most of the year. That said, Morning Jewel was in great shape and took off vigorously, unlike the small bands from other nurseries.

I feel like Burlington and RVR should actually charge more for their rare varieties. If it's a widely availably rose, $20-$30 seems okay, but if it's only available from one nursery (like many of the early to mid-century hybrid teas), I'll happily pay more. I ended up bidding almost $80 for Babe Ruth in the CCRS auction.

30 is a bit high. And Burling and RVR did increase prices. They keep going, and I will have to be happy with what I got. Checks do not compensate for these price increases. Especially for us on limited monthly income, disabled , ect.

@susan9santabarbara maybe I am misunderstanding your statement of if you buy a more expensive rose it will be with you longer if you like it. (paraphrased, not quoted)

I don't think that price and longevity of a rose bush are connected at all. I bought Charles de Mills from Heirloom in 1997 for less than $17. It is still in my mom's yard 24 years later. I bought another plant of Charles de Mills this year (2021) for $22. I expect the rose to be in my yard in 2045 (24 years from now).

Like I stated, maybe I misunderstood and you weren't trying to connect price and longevity, that is how I took it though.

@Alana8aSC while I am not on a limited income per se, I am married to someone who pinches pennies so tightly that Abraham Lincoln feels it in his grave. Plus she hates roses, (and anything else that I like; other than food; but that is a different story for a different time) so it takes major effort on my part to get any roses, such as giving up peanut butter, (which I eat like most people eat meat), for a year. That is the major driving force behind me going through websites that I could find of companies that had their prices listed of lower than $25.

I am a penny pincher too, I get it honestly from my dad. I don't mean to be it's just how I was raised, and when your poor to boot, you are always looking for deals. Almost all my Christmas was discounted items. I shop the clearance rack, I buy books from thrift stores, and thrift books. I buy used clothes. Some stuff is really great deals. Clothing if I buy used, looks brand new. I buy nice things, but I generally buy them on sale.

I can speak to Roses Unlimited being really great! I've ordered from them for two years now. Own-root roses, great selection, and I got good-sized plants that shipped well. Of course, the farther you are from SC the more the shipping costs. I'm in NC so shipping was very reasonable for me. And her website isn't updated for what varieties are in stock, nor can you order online; you have to call and order over the phone. It's worth it though! Prices are generally $20 a rose but range from $18-$24.

I also want to point out that when talking about rose prices in the past versus now, inflation matters? A rose that cost $10 in 2000 should cost $16 today, just based on the value of money; you're not paying more for the rose, inflation means your one dollar is actually worth less.

Of course, inflation and shipping problems right now...let's hope it gets straightened out by the spring and nobody's roses die stuck somewhere!

You might also wish to mention Hummingbird Roses in Michigan. Mindy has a very large selection of English Roses for $20.00 and other types for $18.00. See link at https://hummingbirdroses.com/rose-varieties/