Henry Street Rose Nursery — FAQ

How long will my order take to arrive?

We aim to dispatch all orders within 2–3 working days of placing your order. Once dispatched, you will receive tracking information so you can follow your roses every step of the way.

How much does delivery cost?

Standard delivery is £3.49 per order, regardless of the number of roses you purchase. We deliver to addresses across mainland UK.

Which courier do you use?

We use DPD to deliver all of our roses. DPD provide reliable tracked delivery with a one-hour delivery window notification sent to you on the morning of your delivery, so you'll always know when to expect your parcel.

Do you deliver across the whole of the UK?

Yes — our Standard Roses can be posted to addresses throughout the UK. If you have any questions about delivery to a specific location, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

How will my roses arrive, and how are they packaged?

We've invested in specially designed packaging to ensure your roses travel safely and arrive in the best possible condition. Each potted rose is individually bagged around the pot to keep the compost secure and prevent any mess in transit. Every rose is hand-selected by our team at the nursery before being packed — we only send out plants we'd be proud to grow in our own garden.

My potted rose doesn't appear fully rooted — is this normal?

Completely normal, and nothing to worry about. Potted roses purchased in the Autumn will not yet be fully rooted into their pots at the time of despatch — they will be well established by around April. This actually works in your favour, as it gives you real flexibility on when you choose to plant your rose in the garden. There's no rush; simply keep it watered and in a sheltered spot until you're ready.

When will my pre-ordered bare root roses be dispatched?

Pre-ordered bare root roses are dispatched in the Autumn, once all varieties within your order have been lifted from the field. All orders will be with you by mid-December at the latest. Because bare root roses are a seasonal product dependent on field conditions, we hold dispatch until every variety on your order is ready — this ensures you receive everything together.

How quickly do bare root roses need to be planted after arrival?

Bare root roses should be planted as soon as possible after they arrive. To protect the roots during transit and give you a little breathing room, we dip all bare root roses before despatch to prevent them from drying out on the journey. However, we'd always recommend getting them into the ground promptly — bare root roses establish best when planted without delay.

How do I plant my rose?

For potted roses, dig a hole roughly twice the width of the pot and to the same depth. Remove the rose carefully, tease out any circling roots, and position it so the bud union sits just at or slightly below soil level. Backfill with soil mixed with a little well-rotted compost, firm gently, and water well. For bare root roses, soak the roots in water for an hour before planting. Dig a wide, generous hole, spread the roots naturally, and plant to the same depth as the soil mark on the stem. Firm in well and water thoroughly.

How do I prune a bush rose?

Prune bush roses in late winter or early spring, just as the buds begin to swell — typically February to March in the UK. Cut back all main stems to around 20–30cm from the ground, pruning to an outward-facing bud at a slight angle. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing stems entirely. Hard pruning encourages strong new growth and a good flush of flowers.

How do I prune and train a climbing rose?

Climbing roses require a lighter touch than bush roses. In late winter, remove any dead or weak growth and shorten flowered side-shoots (laterals) back to 2–3 buds. The main framework stems should be trained as horizontally as possible — tied into wires, a trellis, or an arch — as this encourages the plant to produce more flowering laterals rather than simply shooting upwards. Once the framework is established, remove a couple of the oldest stems at the base each year to encourage vigorous new growth.

How should I feed my roses?

Roses are hungry plants and reward regular feeding generously. Apply a specialist rose fertiliser in early spring as growth begins, and again after the first flush of flowers in early summer. Avoid feeding after mid-August, as this can encourage soft new growth that is vulnerable to frost damage. A mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base in spring also helps retain moisture and releases nutrients slowly throughout the season.

Should I deadhead my roses?

Yes — deadheading spent blooms encourages repeat-flowering roses to produce a fresh flush rather than putting their energy into producing hips. Simply cut back to the first strong leaf below the faded flower, using clean, sharp secateurs. For single-flush roses that produce attractive hips in autumn, you can leave the spent flowers in place from late summer onwards to enjoy the display.

How do I keep fungal diseases at bay?

Good air circulation is your first line of defence — avoid planting roses too close together and keep the centre of the plant open when pruning. Collect and dispose of any fallen leaves, particularly in autumn, as these can harbour fungal spores over winter. Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep foliage dry. Where blackspot, rust, or mildew are persistent problems, a proprietary rose fungicide applied from early spring can help keep outbreaks under control.

My rose has aphids — what should I do?

Aphids are common on roses, particularly in spring and early summer when new growth is soft. A small infestation can often be dealt with simply by squashing them between finger and thumb or blasting them off with a jet of water. Encouraging natural predators such as ladybirds and lacewings into your garden is an excellent long-term strategy. For heavier infestations, a rose insecticide or organic neem-based spray applied in the evening will bring numbers down quickly without harming beneficial insects.

I'd like personal advice on caring for my roses — who can I speak to?

Our team at Henry Street are passionate about roses and happy to help with any questions about care, pruning, feeding, or troubleshooting. Don't hesitate to get in touch — we'd love to hear from you.

What guarantee do you offer on your roses?

We stand behind the quality of every rose we sell. All our roses come with a 2-year guarantee — if your rose fails within this period, we will either replace it or provide a full refund at our discretion. To make a claim, please complete our guarantee form and our team will be in touch promptly.

My rose arrived damaged — what should I do?

We're sorry to hear that. Damage in transit is rare, but when it does occur we want to put things right as quickly as possible. Please email us at roses@henrystreet.co.uk with your order number and photographs of the damaged rose, and our team will arrange a resolution for you.

I'm not happy with my rose — who should I contact?

We always want our customers to be delighted with their roses. If something isn't right, please reach out to our team directly — we'll do everything we can to help.