A Rose is a Rose, is a rose
Tom Rood

June 26, 2002

Everyone loves roses and they can be found year-round in local flower shops and in some supermarkets as well. When birthdays or anniversaries roll around, one of the first gifts thought of is the traditional red rose. However, roses as everyone know, come in a wide range of colors and styles. But did you know that one rose in particular has a historical aura surrounding its name? Its very beginning involves foreign intrigue, a diplomatic pouch and a military invasion all of which evolved to give this rose a place in history. In fact it is reportedly one of the world's most popular roses with millions growing in gardens around the world. If you are a rose lover you may even have this beauty growing in your own garden.

The rose is PEACE, a hybrid tea rose. This rose first bloomed in France in 1939. It was grown from a single seed hybridized by French rose breeder Frances Meilland. Meilland recognized that he had a seedling of great significance and was worried that German occupation of France would pose a threat to the rose's development and subsequent distribution. It is the dream of every hybridizer to gain fame and recognition for their long years of hard work. Often the results are disappointing and some hybridizers become discouraged and drop out of the "race" for newer and better hybrids. However, when a breakthrough comes along such as this rose, there is the need to let the world know of the breeder's success. With German occupation looming over northern France, Meilland made arrangements to protect his creation.

Meilland contacted Robert Pyle, of Conrad-Pyle rose growers in Pennsylvania, about his special rose but how to get it there was the immediate problem. The black cloud of World War II Nazi occupation blocked Europe off from the rest of the free world. America had not yet entered the war and seemed the safest place for this gem of a rose. Meilland made arrangements with the American Consul and the rose made it safely aboard the last flight, in a diplomatic pouch, to leave France before that country was sealed off by the occupation.

The war raged on for six more years and Meilland had no word whether or not his rose was safe. In 1945, at war's end, Pyle wrote to Meilland that he was fascinated by the glorious rose with its pale cream and ivory petals with a touch of a rose blush along ruffled edges. Pyle was convinced that this rose would become the greatest rose of the 20th century. That short letter bearing the greatest of good news must have brought tears to Meilland's eyes. His beauty was safe, but he surely did not yet know just how important a creation he had produced nor how applicably it would be named.

"A flurry of doves" released by the Pacific Rose Society at their spring exhibition marked the first introduction of the PEACE rose to the world. Simultaneously, Allied military forces in Europe secured Berlin. On May 8, 1945 all 49 delegates to the first United Nations Conference in San Francisco were given PEACE blooms. May 8th became Victory in Europe (VE) Day. In August 1945 PEACE was the only winner of the All-America Rose Selection Award. It also was the date of Japan's surrender. The day the peace treaty was signed with Japan in 1951, the American Rose Society awarded PEACE a Gold Medal. Were these all coincidences? Perhaps, and perhaps not!

Inadddition to being a wonderful rose, PEACE reminds us of darker times of World War II and our world evolving from the ashes like the proverbial Phoenix bird. The hope for true world peace was hung like a mantle on this rose. The PEACE rose was my mother's favorite rose. Indeed, after nearly 60 years, it is still one the world's most favorite roses.

In our climate, hybrid tea roses need some winter protection. Hilling mulch up over the cane covering the graft union is the easiest and simplest method. Should the canes die back due to the severity of winter's cold, the area protected by mulch may protect enough of the canes above the graft to begin growing in spring. After all danger of frost is past, carefully remove the mulch. Any canes sprouting below the graft union should be removed.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Yates Association
Last updated: 6/21/02

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