April & Ashley Chapter Two.

last month

Looks like last bare-root season was not very successful for April & Ashley, and they’ve decided not to offer bare-root roses this season. Ouch! 😢

Instead, they’re planning to offer roses in dormant pots. Here is the flyer from their Facebook page.

They also mentioned that there are going to be quite a few changes to the catalog this season.

I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions about the dormant-pot approach.

Personally, I love bare-root roses and will really miss that option. 🌹

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nippstress - zone 5 Nebraska

last month

FWIW this year I bought roses from April & Ashley both potted and bare roots (no toots except by me perhaps). I didn't notice much of a difference except for the time it took the bare roots to come out of dormancy. I did order mine for Feb/March delivery at the latest possible date, and with protection in my yard they came out of dormancy at the same time as other roses in my yard. The potted plants grew as big as the bare roots and I don't see differences in vigor now between the two types. I obviously didn't check the roots but the pots were a relatively reasonable size compared to the narrow pots you get in big box stores.

The pros of not having the bare root system from last year is that I don't have to order my roses for a particularly early delivery and risk them getting serious cold and snow damage. I think their plans for early delivery to everyone if you ordered bare roots was to avoid the length of time they sit in storage like Susan talks about, but I'm speculating rather than knowing that's the case. The cons of discontinuing the bare roots as bare vs. potted delivery is mostly the extra cost for delivery. The base price of the rose isn't that much different ($5) but the shipping is more. I already pay for quality shipping of heavy roses from places like Antique Rose Emporium and am happy to do so for the mature plants. The same goes for April & Ashley if they can keep up the quality.

For me, I don't see the change as all that different, but I understand the reduction in options limits the opportunities for people in other locations. Frankly, with all the grafted rose companies like Palatine or Regan no longer delivering, I'm happy to see April & Ashley do whatever is sustainable for them, within reason. There simply aren't that many options anymore for grafted plants delivered and in my zone that makes a different for winter survival. I found that the A&A potted plants were robust and healthy and I plan to order more if they have varieties I want for spring.

Anyone know when they will release their offerings for spring 2027?

Cynthia

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Comments (9)

Diane Brakefield
last month
I love bare toot roses, though I'm not buying roses much anymore. No space. Furthermore, plants in pots cannot be imported into Idaho--Ag rules. So these roses would be out for me, anyway. Sounds like a gimmick. Diane
judijunebugarizonazn8
last month
I’m sad to see their bare root roses go away. I bought 20 some bare roots from them and only had to replace one. I expect the price will be higher.
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Diane Brakefield
last month
Bare toot! Great typo. Yes, I'm sure prices will rise from A&A.
Otterbon Zone 8b
last month
It looks like prices are already on the website—$50 for dormant pot vs $55 for bud and bloom. Definitely not much of a price break.

I am really happy with my A&A plants so I will still buy the ones that I can’t get elsewhere. I’m probably more likely to just spend the extra $5 for the bud and bloom pots.
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
last month
Seems these dormant pots are very similar to their bud & bloom, except they are sold earlier in the season before they grow out. If they have a variety I’d really like I’d get it whether it was bare root , dormant pot, bud & bloom, own root, Dr Huey , Multiflora , Fortuniana…how ever it’s available.

Bare toot is more Ashley Madison than April & Ashley 🫢
Diane Brakefield
last month
Ben, are you on Ashley Madison? Maybe we can meet discreetly there. Are you into bare toots? (I'm going to get kicked off this forum). The DOL
susan9santabarbara
last month
Pickering and Palatine used to offer fall (mid-to-late November) shipment of their bare roots to those of us in warmer climates. This was shortly after being dug out of their growing fields. It was the absolute best way I ever bought bare roots. My question about these dormant pots is how are they storing them after potting them up? Normal bare roots are kept in cold storage in the dark until they are pulled for shipment. Are they doing the same with these dormant pots, keeping them refrigerated in the dark? The website says they can be kept this way for 8 weeks. Any bare root in a pot exposed to light will start growing. On another thread, Kitty was excited about ordering these for March delivery... hmmm? My other question is if they're going to chop their roots to fit into a one gallon pot? So many questions :-D
kentucky_rose zone 6
last month
I ordered 7 bare roots for Mar 15th from A&A and they all broke dormancy and are growing great. Then later I ordered multiple small shipments of bud and bloom and all growing.