I asked for a refund because they are sold out of Silas Marner this year....and they were sold out last year, too, which is why I ordered so early (December). I guess I was surprised that they would not refund the shipping cost on a rose that is no good....I guess they feel the customer should just be out that money. I love David Austin roses and plan to continue buying them (I have dozens of them).

@vickysgarden - Sorry to hear about the trouble with the rose, and the stocking issues. I would say that 1 week is a little soon to call it dead. Could you post a picture or two of the plant as it sits?

My Silas Marner arrived on May 12, it arrived with no sign of growth and it looks like it will not survive. I will see how it looks in another week or so, but I'm not optimistic. I'll send a photo of it to David Austin.

Elizabeth arrived in the same poor condition, I will be seeking a replacement as well if it does not grow.

I was fortunate to find a potted Silas Marner at a local store, it will bloom within a few weeks.

I would not give up yet.

It doesn't look great, but I see a bit of green on the canes at the bottom and left of the photo. I would wait a few more weeks. I am guessing its best chance would be in a warm area, but out of direct sun. And slightly moist soil, but not wet.

What zone are you in @vickysgarden?

My new Austin’s have recently started looking great full of leaves and will soon have buds in zone 7b Alabama.

Edit : sorry I saw the zone 5 and was not able to edit my post. I think you have a good chance of the roses doing great. I am in a much warmer zone 7b and my .bareroots got their foliage a few weeks ago

I bought a Silas Marner at a local store, these are recent photos of it. It has a moderate sweet, fruity scent.

The Silas Marner and Elizabeth from the Austin website still show no signs of growth. I will contact David Austin soon for refund, or replacement next year.

Ordered quite a few bare root roses from David austin this year

All are own root with the exception of two Scarborough fair roses.

They all arrived late April and all of them are doing great except for the two Scarborough fair,neither one of them even broke dormancy which I found interesting being that they were the only two that were grafted.

Unfortunately they don't offer Scarborough fair as own root 😕 I'm hoping they will replace them with a different rose but I have not contacted them yet, guess I'm still in denial or mourning 😢

My elizabeth also did not leaf out. i requested a replacement. other roses i received from them at the same time have done great so far, especially james galway and lady of shallot.