The world’s most famous rose, in brilliant yellow and pink, first introduced to the U.S. by The Conard-Pyle Co. over fifty years ago. More popular today than when it was first introduced. A rose your garden should not be without.
HISTORY:
Hybridizer Francis Meilland sent his cuttings of this new rose just before the war, and communication between the cultivators was not possible.
The rose became known as Peace in the following way. In early 1945 Meilland wrote to Field Marshal Alan Brooke (later Viscount Alanbrooke), the principal author of the master strategy that won the Second World War, to thank him for his key part in the liberation of France and to ask if Brooke would give his name to the rose. Brooke declined saying that, though he was honored to be asked, his name would soon be forgotten and a much better and more enduring name would be “Peace”.
The adoption of the trade name “Peace” was publicly announced in the United States on 29 April 1945 by the introducers, Messrs Conard Pyle Co.. This was the very day that Berlin fell, officially considered the end of the Second World War in Europe. Later that year Peace roses were given to each of the delegations at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco, each with a note which read:
“We hope the ‘Peace’ rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace“.
Peter Beales, English rose grower and expert, said in his book Roses:
“‘Peace’, without doubt, is the finest Hybrid Tea ever raised and it will remain a standard variety forever”.
Yellow blend, pink edges. Mild to strong fragrance. 40 to 43 petals. Average diameter 6″. Very large, full (26-40 petals), cupped, high-centered bloom form. Blooms in flushes throughout the season.
Height of 4′ to 6′ (120 to 200 cm). Width of up to 3′ (up to 90 cm).
Hybridizer: Francis Meilland (France, before 1939)
Parentage:
Seed: [George Dickson x Souvenir de Claudius Pernet] x [Joanna Hill x Charles P. Kilham]
Pollen: Margaret McGredy
