If you sign up with your email address on the Francis Roses site, the welcome email ends with "This season, for the first time, we have something to show you. We will write only when there is something to see. Soon, you will see." So I think that is probably what is going on. I don't understand why the A&A announcement and social media response has been so vague and evasive.

I’m sure it’s to build suspense, but it’s annoying. I don’t think it’s a coincidence either that A&A will wrap up before the Francis date. But I wish that they’d say that instead of being evasive about the whole thing! I also can’t imagine they came up with the dormant pot announcement and then are just scrapping everything so I do think it’s probably shifting over under the other brand name.

They have so many exclusives that I feel like they have to keep selling under some umbrella.

Right, the announcement about the dormant pots and the interview Tyler Francis did with Mike from Raft Island Roses, and now this announcement. I've seen several retailers listing A&A's varieties as bare roots for 2027 preorder and I have to think those deals haven't been rescinded.

Hate to say it, but it seems that both AA seasons have fallen short of expectations. It will be interesting to see how Taylor navigates these challenges and gets the business back on track.

I was hoping that I misinterpreted the email.

https://francisroses.com/?syclid=dbcieojvj2cc73f4cvqg

The name is the brand:)

Elena, thank you for the link. How did your Paris Eiffel Jumping perform?

That’s my guess too, windowsill—create some orders from people who have been hemming and hawing based on urgency.

Again I have to think they are just moving it over to Francis, which as you all pointed out makes sense. I feel like they’re really botching the transition though and should just be forthright. I think they could’ve created the same sense of urgency if they said they were moving over but didn’t have a finalized catalogue yet so if you see one you want, better grab it.

Mike at RIR posted a while ago saying their order is still on the books for next year. I still wonder long term what will happen, if they are paring down the selections they are carrying, if they will continue to sell direct to consumer or not. People are asking those kind of questions and the most direct answer I have seen so far is "As we navigate these changes, we are exploring the best path for directing our rose bush customers moving forward."

Otterbon I totally agree that this is botched. They've upset a lot of people, especially those who have significant store credits and rewards points, and I think they could have created the stir they wanted while being more transparent and maintaining more goodwill with their customers. I do hope they can get things straightened out.

Kitty just posted this in the seasonal thread. Seems the retail arm for rose plants will be Francis Roses instead of A&A. Could they not have just stated this plainly instead of days of weird messaging from both Francis and A&A? Perhaps, as has been suggested, they just were trying to create urgency to move AA unsold inventory.

Two vendors just posted to their FB pages the list of A&A roses they'll be carrying: Raft Island Roses & Foxview Roses. I hope this isn't just for this year, and that Francis will continue to grow these roses for future years. I was especially looking forward to the Tantau garden varieties

Kentucky, I really can’t blame Paris Eiffel Jumping rose or April in Ashley for underperforming in my garden this season. I planted her too close to Peach Melba, and because I was so busy this year, I didn’t have time to keep Peach Melba under control. It grew like crazy and created quite a bit of shade around Paris Eiffel Jumping.

As a result, she performed rather poorly, but I don’t think it was the rose’s fault. I’m planning to move her to a sunnier spot and give her another chance.

That said, with Martha Stewart performing so beautifully and producing such gorgeous pink blooms, I honestly don’t see myself buying many more pink roses, with the possible exception of Tantau varieties!

Folks, I really don't understand why people are so hesitant to speak up about how they're being treated.

Just a disclaimer: I personally don't have any outstanding store credits or points, so this isn't about me. It's simply a matter of fairness and transparency toward loyal customers.

Elena, I emailed A&A about store credits and points this morning. I sent it as a reply to yesterday’s email from them.

Kentucky, sure, in our zone, it's already too late to plant potted roses. So the only practical way to use credits or points now is to place an order and keep the roses in the garage or another protected area until spring.

Did they confirm they won't allow points to be transferred?

Elena, I haven’t heard back from them. You are right that it is to late to plant potted plants in our area. I may have to order?

I guess it would be better to use my store credit and points than to lose it!

Yeah, I don’t like how they are handling this as a whole. I have had good experiences with them til now but this just feels unnecessarily messy.

Kentucky, order a Maison Rouge and we can evaluate it together 🤣

I read somewhere that the husbands of these ladies will be selling the plants. I don't know if this is true or not. I have not ordered from A&A, but wonder if there is a warranty with the plants sold and how will that be handled.

Kentucky, I would definitely buy something! There must be something fundamentally wrong with their marketing strategy if they still have so many beautiful roses available this late in the season.

@Dee on their FB page Oct 7, regarding the buy 3 get 1 promo, they say "Please note: Refunds/replacements will only be issued if the plant arrives with disease." And Oct 2 They said

" **All sales are final. Refunds will only be issued for plants that arrive with disease**" So it looks like that is the risk if you buy now.

Elena,

Here is my reply from A&A:

The store credit is only valid for our online shop and is not transferable. We are currently having a "buy 3 get 1" sale + free shipping where you can use the store credit at checkout. Rose bushes will be available for purchase until October 30. Were you planning on placing an order sometime soon?

Kind regards,

Thelma

Guess I will be ordering.

I placed my order today with A&A and used my store credits. A&A applied my rewards points for me. POH, WOH, Maison Rouge, and Plushing Parasol will be coming.

This whole thing is so ridiculous! A&A has always just been a subsidiary "boutique" business of Francis Roses.

I was sorry to read this too, especially after all the excitement around some of their newer varieties. Like others here, I am hoping the roses themselves do not disappear and just find a clearer home under the new setup, since a few of the Tantau types were on my longer-term wish list. Did anyone who placed a late order hear anything more about how their plants will be handled now that the cutoff has passed? I would love to know how they settle in next spring, especially Maison Rouge.

Crown gall has been reported on some potted roses from the last sale. Please check your plants carefully!

Elena, Thank you!