It’s a favorite time of the year for us rose lovers, when nurseries feature bare root roses, both on-line and locally. Prices for bare root roses are much lower than those grown in containers, and the selection is extensive! If you’re thinking of adding new plants to your garden, it’s a good time to start shopping. Here’s a link to the Marin Rose Society’s “Resources” webpage that includes a list of on-line rose nurseries.
The nursery business as a whole has gone through mammoth changes over the past years, and as a result some long-time on-line businesses have folded, and new ones have opened. Regan Nursery, a rose lover’s paradise in Fremont that sells both bare root and potted plants, announced that they will no longer ship orders. You can still buy from them but need to pick them up.
A few newcomers have been added to our Resources list – Grace Rose Farm began a decade ago as a small family operation and has grown to be a large producer of old fashioned type rose plants along with fresh rose bouquets. Similarly, Kate Roses in southern California sells rose plants and blooms, including Chinese and Japanese varieties of modern roses. In addition to other types of plants, Menagerie Farm and Flower features bare root or own root plants and potted roses from nearly two dozen different hybridizers.
Closer to home, West End Nursery in San Rafael usually carries about a hundred or so varieties of bare root roses starting in December. Summerwinds Nursery in Novato has a list on their website for available varieties. With multiple locations in Marin, Sloat Garden Centers website indicates “Roses are arriving in our stores this month!”
Time to get rose shopping while the selection is at its best!
Photo courtesy of Menagerie Farm