It occurred to me later on that I had placed the order in late March and was probably getting the worst roses of the lot. I have ordered from DA Roses twice since I wrote the review above.
In the first case, 2013 I think, I ordered in January and spoke to the rep on the phone when I ordered, telling her that if they cannot send a well-developed #1 grade rose in each case to remove it from my order and credit my account. It was a sizeable order with more than a dozen roses. When they arrived I remember being impressed. Every one of them has survived until today. That's an unprecedented survival rate which speaks volumes for both the cultivars they sell and the care they give them.
I ordered from them in 2017. I would say that in each case the size of the plant was a little smaller; but the plants were evidently very fresh. They felt dense, heavy, well-hydrated on arrival. Not like roses that had been kept in a warehouse at 38F for four months. They leafed out quickly. Although DS rose can be a little uneven they do better than anyone else in this space. As a supplier of roses budded onto Dr. Huey rootstock they are now my first supplier of choice.
