Peace

After yesterday’s observation, “Proven performers are worth the money when selecting roses”, it seemed appropriate to add another high quality proven performer to our garden. We brought home Peace.

The world’s most famous rose in brilliant yellow and creamy pink, was first introduced in the U.S. sixty years ago. More popular today than when first introduced. Over one hundred million plants have been sold. Designated by the World Federation of Rose Societies as Rose of the 20th Century.

A fascinating history surrounds this flower. It was discovered and developed in France by Francis Meilland in 1935 to 1939. In 1940 when the Germans invaded Poland and war was imminent, cuttings were spirited to friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany and the United States. His rose gardens were converted to Victory Gardens, growing vegetables. It is said, that cuttings were sent to the U.S. on the last plane available before the German invasion.

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".

We welcome Peace to our garden!