Zones and roses

[vickilynn]

I bought some roses at Aldi. I had bought one last year and it did well. Can’t beat the price. Roses elsewhere are costing a lot.

I was looking at a package when I got them home and noticed growing zone information in small letters at the bottom of the package. Darn, two of them are zones 7 to 9. I’m zone 6. I could take them back but think I’ll try growing them anyway. Miss All American Beauty and Tiffany will need loving care and protection next winter.

Why do they sell plants outside their growing zones to people like me who don’t pay attention when they buy them?

[Jolly]

Because they buy them by the truckload and they buy them cheap.

In and around the village of Forest Hill (pop. around 600), Louisiana, there are more than 60 plant nurseries. Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot and others haul plants out of there by the forty foot van.

[countrymom22]

Because as long as you are coaxed into spending your money, they don't care if the roses survive. After all, if they don't make it, many people will go back to the same store next year to buy replacements.

[mogal]

Same way with trees, particularly fruit trees already in bloom while they are still in pots or bags. I've had much better luck planting fruit trees and such just before trees go dormant. That way the roots continue to grow until the ground freezes, start to grow again in spring as soon as the ground thaws and are much more likely to have a root system that can support the top growth. But you can't find fruit trees that are reasonably priced in the fall for love or money. There is a greenhouse west of Columbia that sells huge potted fruit trees year round but you pay huge prices for them.

[Maura]

They do it because you don't go back and ask for a refund.

[dw]

My father always covered the roses with a bucket in the winter. Here, too cold & windy.

[vickilynn]

Odd that when I looked online for more information, the zones were different. Out of the package they looked really good. Will see if lots of protection next winter helps. I planted them near the fieldstone foundation on the southeast side of the house. Best location I could plant them I think.

[jenn]

I think zone 6 should be fine for almost all roses. It's 3 and 4 etc that need to shelter them over the winter. Am I wrong? I only started growing roses when I moved South and haven't lived anywhere but zone 7 and 8 since.