Rose Questions & FAQs

Whether you are new to growing roses or are experiencing an issue with one of your plants, our Rose Care blog includes helpful articles and videos covering topics such as planting, watering, feeding, pruning, pests, diseases, and general rose care.

If you cannot find the information you need or are still concerned about your rose, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team with photos if available. We are happy to help you determine the best next steps.

You may notice that your order has arrived in packaging that looks slightly different from what you were expecting. We are in the process of introducing updated pots and packaging.

As we make this change, we are also continuing to use existing materials to avoid unnecessary waste. For this reason, you may occasionally receive a different style.

Whichever packaging your order arrives in, every rose and rose care product has been selected, prepared and packed with the same care and attention as always.

When ordering from us, you have the choice of purchasing our roses as bare root roses or potted roses. Neither option is superior. The best choice depends on your planting plans, availability, and personal preference.

Our roses are live plants, so pre-order and shipping availability may vary from year to year based on inventory, production schedules, weather conditions, and your location. We ship roses when conditions are appropriate for planting to give them the best chance of success. The timeframes below are estimates and may vary.

Bare Root Roses

• Pre-orders: Typically begin in the fall.
• Shipping: Typically takes place between February and early May, depending on your location and weather conditions.
• Bare root roses are approximately 2-year-old plants that are dormant when they are dug from the field and shipped without soil.
• They are an excellent choice if you are planting several roses, as they are lightweight and easy to handle and plant.
• Bare root roses are shipped dormant and will need time to establish and break dormancy after planting.

2-Gallon Potted Roses

• Pre-orders: Typically begin around April.
• Shipping: Typically takes place from May through June.
• These roses begin as bare root plants that are potted up early and cared for by our team to encourage establishment and growth before shipping.
• They are among the largest and most established roses we offer, making them a good option if you prefer a more mature plant at the time of planting.

1-Gallon Potted Roses

• Pre-orders: Typically begin in late summer.
• Shipping: Typically takes place in early fall.
• These are own-root roses that have been grown in containers.
• They are approximately 3 to 4 months old at the time of shipping and are generally leafed out when they arrive.
• They can be planted in the fall, allowing them to establish before the following growing season.
• 1-gallon potted roses can be a good choice for newer gardeners who may not feel comfortable handling or planting dormant bare root roses. Because they arrive already growing in a container, they can provide a more familiar starting point for gardeners who are new to growing roses.

Whichever option you choose, our roses are backed by our 5-year guarantee, subject to the terms of our guarantee.

For the most up-to-date information about shipping schedules and availability, please visit our Shipping FAQs.

Climbers generally have large blooms on not too vigorous, rather stiff growth and most repeat flower. Ramblers are in general, much more vigorous. They will produce great quantities of small flowers, although most do not repeat flower. There are exceptions however; for instance Malvern Hills® (Auscanary) and The Albrighton Rambler® (Ausmobile) are repeat-flowering ramblers.

Most climbers are best for walls, trellises, arches, obelisks whereas ramblers are generally better for growing into trees and covering pergolas or large structures such as garages or sheds.

Visit our inspiration blog to discover more.

If less than 3 weeks delay

Store in a frost-free, cool place such as your garden shed or garage. Bare root plants will keep for up to three weeks tightly sealed in the box and polythene bag without a problem. You may see new growth, particularly for orders delivered in March or later - this is a good sign.

If more than 3 weeks delay

If you are expecting a longer delay before planting it is worth considering heeling-in your plants. To do this, simply remove your plants from their box and polythene bag, leave in their bundle tied together and dig a hole large enough to take the roots of your plant. Replace the soil to cover the roots. Water if conditions are going to be dry

If you are not ready to plant your bare root roses immediately, you can delay planting for approximately 2 to 3 weeks by storing them in a cool, frost-free location such as an unheated garage, garden shed, or basement. Cooler temperatures help slow growth while the roses are being held.

While the roses are in storage:

• Keep them in their original box and plastic bag.
• Open the plastic bag and lightly mist the canes and roots with water every 1 to 2 days to help prevent them from drying out.
• Keep the roses away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and freezing temperatures.
• If you notice new growth, particularly with roses delivered later in the season, this is normal and not necessarily a cause for concern.

If you need to delay planting for more than 3 weeks.

If you expect a longer delay, we recommend potting the roses into suitable containers rather than keeping them stored in the box for an extended period. This will allow the roots to remain protected and the rose to continue developing until it can be planted in its permanent location.

If you have questions about storing or planting your bare root roses, please contact our Customer Service team and we will be happy to assist.

The best time to plant roses depends on the type of rose and the growing conditions in your area.

Bare root roses should be planted while they are dormant and when the ground is workable. As a general guideline, daytime temperatures should be below 80°F and nighttime temperatures should remain above 30°F. Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or when extreme heat or cold is expected.

Potted roses have a more flexible planting window and can generally be planted throughout the growing season, provided conditions are suitable for planting. Be sure to water them regularly after planting while they establish.

We schedule and ship our roses based on your location, weather conditions, and the appropriate planting season to give your roses the best opportunity to establish and thrive.

Roses can grow very well in containers when they have enough room for their roots and good drainage. The larger the container, the better, particularly for long-term growth.

Choosing the Right Pot

• For most roses, we recommend a container that is at least 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
• The container must have adequate drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.
• Tree roses, ramblers, and climbers require a larger container. We recommend a pot that is at least 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep to provide sufficient room for root development and long-term growth.

Choosing the Right Potting Soil

Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix with little or no added fertilizer. Many commercial potting mixes contain pre-mixed nutrients or slow-release fertilizer, which can be too strong for newly planted roses and may lead to overfeeding.

A plain, well-draining potting mix can be used, or you can use a suitable garden soil mixed with well-rotted composted manure.

How to Plant

1. Fill the container with enough potting mix so that the rose will sit at the appropriate depth once planted.
2. Place the rose in the center of the container and spread the roots naturally.
3. Add potting mix around the roots, gently firming it as you go. Avoid compacting the soil too heavily.
4. Ensure the rose is planted at the appropriate depth for its type.
5. Water thoroughly after planting, allowing excess water to drain freely from the bottom of the container.
6. Continue to monitor the soil moisture and water as needed while the rose becomes established.

For more information, please view our planting guides here

What is it?

This is most probably powdery mildew, a fungal disease of the foliage where a superficial fungal growth covers the surface of the plant.

Causes

Powdery mildew is caused by a certain combination of weather conditions. New young leaf growth is often more susceptible until they have formed a hard surface that you find on a mature leaf.

Powdery mildew can also be caused by lack of moisture at the roots. For more information, please read our blog

Prognosis

This is not a disease that will kill your plant. However, it does risk deforming foliage and making your rose less attractive and possibly less vigorous.

How to Prevent

Spray: Use a fungicide such as Banner Maxx.

Mulch: Mulching will help to conserve the moisture in the ground. Apply this in April to retain what moisture is in the ground.

Read more about mulching here

Yellowing leaves can have several causes. Common causes include underwatering, overwatering, nutritional deficiencies, poor drainage, or environmental stress. Older leaves may also naturally turn yellow and drop as part of the plant's normal growth cycle.
First, check the moisture level of the soil and make sure your rose is receiving adequate water.

For more information, see our Watering guides.

If watering appears to be adequate, a nutritional deficiency may be contributing to the yellowing. For feeding your roses, our recommended product is Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food Plus.

After planting, apply the product to the surface of the soil and water thoroughly. It should be reapplied according to the product label. Always follow the manufacturer's application instructions.

If you would like to give your roses additional support at planting, we recommend a root stimulator containing mycorrhizal fungi, such as Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus.

If your rose continues to struggle during the growing season, you may also supplement with a liquid seaweed feed, such as Maxicrop, every two weeks during the growing season.

If you prefer a different fertiliser, we recommend using a slow-release granular rose fertiliser with an NPK ratio around 10-8-10. For additional guidance, please see our Rose Care by Region guide.

If you are concerned about your rose or are unsure what may be causing the yellowing, please contact our Customer Service team and include photos of the entire plant, the affected leaves, and the planting area. This will allow us to better assess the issue and provide appropriate guidance.

Black spot is a fungal disease (Diplocarpon rosae) that thrives in warm, humid, or rainy conditions. It typically appears as round black spots with fringed edges on the upper sides of leaves, often surrounded by yellowing tissue. Affected leaves may drop off early, but please don’t worry, while black spot can make the plant look unsightly, it’s rarely fatal and can be well managed with a few consistent steps.

To help reduce and prevent black spot, we recommend the following:

• Remove infected leaves and debris

Carefully remove any leaves with black spots and collect fallen leaves from around the base of the plant. These can harbour fungal spores over winter, so it’s best to dispose of them rather than composting.

• Improve airflow and watering

Black spot thrives in damp conditions. Water only at the base of the plant, keeping foliage as dry as possible, and water early in the day so any moisture dries quickly. Pruning to open up the center of the plant can also help increase air circulation.

• Feed and mulch

The #1 product we recommend for feeding your roses is Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food Plus.

We have seen excellent results with this product on our roses, and it also carries a “no burn” pledge, making it safe to apply at any time once you receive your roses. After planting, simply sprinkle Osmocote on top of the soil and water in. The product only needs to be reapplied every 6 months. Please be sure to follow the instructions on the label for the best results.

If you would like to give your roses an extra boost at planting, we recommend using a root stimulator containing mycorrhizal fungi. A product we suggest is Espoma Bio-Tone Starter Plus, which includes beneficial mycorrhizae to encourage strong root development.

If your roses appear to be struggling to grow during the season, you may also supplement with a liquid seaweed feed such as Maxicrop. This can be applied every 2 weeks throughout the growing season.

Apply a 2” (5 cm) layer of mulch to improve soil quality and help prevent spores from splashing up onto new leaves.

• Organic treatments

If you prefer organic options, there are a few simple mixtures that can help control the spread of black spot: Mix ½ litre (2 cups) of milk with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of water, and spray liberally over foliage and stems. Alternatively, mix 1 gallon of water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 2–3 drops of mild dish soap, and spray weekly on affected leaves. These organic sprays can help create an environment less favourable for the fungus and are safe to use throughout the growing season.

• Fungicide treatments (if needed)

Preventive fungicides can also help manage black spot, though they won’t cure infected leaves. Options include sulfur (Bonide Sulfur Fungicide Dust) or copper-based sprays (Bonide Fung onil (chlorothalonil), or other fungicides containing myclobutanil or tebuconazole. Always follow the label directions carefully and reapply every 7–14 days while conditions are favourable for the fungus.

For detailed advice, you can also read our blog.

With regular care and attention, your rose should soon produce new, healthy foliage.

There are several reasons why a newly planted rose may not flower during its first year.

The most likely cause is that you have purchased a once-flowering variety. These roses flower on older growth and may not bloom until their second year in your garden. Most of the true Old Roses, including Gallicas, Damasks, Albas, Centifolias and Mosses, as well as many ramblers and species roses, fall into this category. A few other varieties also flower this way.

Because these roses flower on older growth, they should not be pruned heavily. Hard pruning can remove the stems that would produce flowers the following season.

If you have not purchased a once-flowering variety, the lack of flowers may simply be related to establishment. Newly planted roses often focus their energy on developing a strong root system during their first season. This can result in fewer flowers while the plant becomes established in its new location.

Climbing roses in particular may take a little longer to settle in, and it is not unusual for them to produce more consistent blooms in their second or even third year once they are fully established.

If you notice that the plant seems slow to grow, you may wish to adjust the feeding. This can support healthy growth and overall plant vigor.

The #1 product we recommend for feeding your roses is Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus, which is available directly on our website:
Osmocote® Plus

We have seen excellent results with this product on our roses, and it also carries a “no burn” pledge, making it safe to apply at any time once you receive your roses. After planting, simply sprinkle Osmocote on top of the soil and water in. The product only needs to be reapplied every 6 months. Please be sure to follow the instructions on the label for the best results.

If your roses appear to be struggling to grow during the season, you may also supplement with a liquid seaweed feed such as Maxicrop. This can be applied every 2 weeks throughout the growing season.

If you prefer an alternative, you can use a slow-release granular rose fertiliser with an NPK ratio around 10-8-10. For region-specific care recommendations, please see our Rose Care by Region guide.

If you are concerned about your rose or it is showing little to no growth as well as a lack of flowers, please contact us with photos of the plant. Our Customer Service team will be happy to review it and provide guidance.

Roses can take time to establish in a new garden. With appropriate care and patience, they will often reward you with stronger growth and more abundant flowering as they mature.

All roses take a few seasons to reach their mature shape and size. Large-flowered varieties, in particular, tend to get better over their first two or three years as the stems become thicker and provide greater support for their heavy blooms. Correct pruning is important where this problem occurs -see Pruning section.

Feeding is also important -see Feeding Roses section.Follow the instructions carefully and do not overfeed, as this can produce more vigorous soft growth which can make the problem worse.

If you’re desperate for our more upward-facing varieties, we recommend Charlotte, Darcey Bussell, L. D. Braithwaite, Molineux, Port Sunlight, Queen Of Sweden or Sophy’s Rose. However, we do encourage gardeners to try some of the roses with nodding blooms as the effect on the mature shrub can be really delightful.

It is important to smell the flowers when fully open at different times of the day as the strength can vary greatly due to a number of factors such as temperature, sunlight, age of flower etc.

We find that most of our varieties have increased fragrance in warmer weather. Conversely, when the weather is cold fragrance is much reduced.

All the descriptions of the fragrances given in the catalogue, and on the website, are provided by an independent perfume expert who has been in the perfume trade all of his life and is well respected throughout the country. He does state that some fragrances such as the myrrh and tea are not picked up by some people.

Although they share the same heritage, David Austin® garden roses and David Austin® cut roses were bred for different purposes. Our collection of cut roses was developed specifically for floristry and are grown commercially in greenhouses. As such, these varieties are not available to purchase as plants for growing in the garden.

The cut roses were directly inspired by the acclaimed English Roses that David Austin created for the garden. From 1995, David C. H. Austin and his son, David J. C. Austin, worked together to develop a new generation of roses for the world of floristry.

Today, the collection comprises 20+ cut rose varieties, each bred to meet the exacting demands of weddings, events and floristry, while retaining the exceptional beauty, distinctive character and fragrance that have long set David Austin® roses apart.

David Austin® cut roses are available throughout the year for weddings and special events through florists across the country. Your florist can pre-order the varieties you would like for your special occasion, and we recommend giving them as much notice as possible to ensure your chosen roses are available.

We have a dedicated cut rose website, which provides details of each of the cut rose varieties: www.davidaustin.com.

You can also request a free brochure.