Stop # 10:
Rose Breeding in Europe.
The ‘Peace’ rose: A rose with a rich history.
On June 15, 1935 Francis Meilland cross-pollinated two roses from which were produced the following year a weak seedling of dubious qualities. But a few eyes of that seedling were budded in 1936, and by fall one of the plants had developed into an especially fine specimen with lush green, glossy foliage. It had magnificent blooms of the most delicate ivory-yellow brushed with pink at the edges. It had no name but was simply called 3-35-40.
In June 1939, rose growers from 7 nations visited Meilland’s nursery and admired seedling 3-35-40. Budding stock was made available. In September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and WW II started.
By November, the Nazis were closing in on southern France. The American consul, who loved roses, told Meilland that he was leaving the country and that he could take some budwood to America if he received it within two hours. Meilland quickly parceled up a package containing budwood from 3-35-40. The budwood was on the last plane out of France.
Prior to this, Meilland entered into a contract with a rose grower in the United States. Jackson & Perkins had first crack at introducing ‘Peace’ in the United States, but had turned it down because Meilland was demanding a 33 percent royalty instead of the usual 15 percent—a decision J&P later regretted.
Despite the war, in 1942 Meilland introduced this rose in France by the name ‘Mme A. Meilland’ (in memory of his mother, Claudia). He also received word that the rose was being sold as ‘Gloria Dei’ (Glory to God) in Germany and as ‘Gioia’ (Joy) in Italy.
During the German occupation, the Meilland family had to remove their roses in order to grow crops for food.
In 1944, a month after France was liberated, Meilland received word that the rose was being grown in test gardens all over the United States and the American Rose Society found the rose to be exceptional.
The Conard-Pyle Company introduced this rose in America under the appropriate name of ‘Peace’ on April 29, 1945, coincidentally the same day Berlin fell to the Allies and the war was pronounced over. That June, when the 50 members of the United Nations met for the first time at the United Nations Building in San Francisco, each found a blossom of the rose in their room.
‘Peace’ was give the All-American Award on the day Japan surrendered, and the rose received a gold medal from the American Rose Society on the day Japan signed its peace treaty.
It is estimated that in the next nine years, more than 30 million ‘Peace’ roses were planted world wide. The money from the sales allowed Meilland to rebuild his stock of roses and quickly return to business. Today, the Meillands are still creating roses.
Weeks Roses grow about 40,000 ‘Peace’ roses a year and it is the number-two seller, exceeded only by Mr. Lincoln. It is the only rose introduced in the 1940’s that is still popular today.
As the famous hybridizer Sam McGredy once said, “For the record, ‘Peace’ is the greatest rose of my time. It’s as nearly perfect as a rose can be."
In 2018, the US Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Peace rose. The photograph for the stamp was taken by former Portland Rose Society president, Rich Baer.
One thing unique about the ‘Peace’ rose is that it “sports” very easily (a branch will produce a different rose). ‘Chicago Peace’ gold medal winner in 1962 is one of those sports.
We will exit the Gold Medal garden through the arch and walk uphill to where we started.
Thank you for visiting!
Consider visiting the Rose Garden Store for some lovely gifts and mementos of your visit to the International Rose Test Garden. Proceeds support Portland’s Rose Festival Foundation.
Rose Breeding in Europe.
The ‘Peace’ rose: A rose with a rich history.
On June 15, 1935 Francis Meilland cross-pollinated two roses from which were produced the following year a weak seedling of dubious qualities. But a few eyes of that seedling were budded in 1936, and by fall one of the plants had developed into an especially fine specimen with lush green, glossy foliage. It had magnificent blooms of the most delicate ivory-yellow brushed with pink at the edges. It had no name but was simply called 3-35-40.
In June 1939, rose growers from 7 nations visited Meilland’s nursery and admired seedling 3-35-40. Budding stock was made available. In September 1939, Hitler invaded Poland and WW II started.
By November, the Nazis were closing in on southern France. The American consul, who loved roses, told Meilland that he was leaving the country and that he could take some budwood to America if he received it within two hours. Meilland quickly parceled up a package containing budwood from 3-35-40. The budwood was on the last plane out of France.
Prior to this, Meilland entered into a contract with a rose grower in the United States. Jackson & Perkins had first crack at introducing ‘Peace’ in the United States, but had turned it down because Meilland was demanding a 33 percent royalty instead of the usual 15 percent—a decision J&P later regretted.
Despite the war, in 1942 Meilland introduced this rose in France by the name ‘Mme A. Meilland’ (in memory of his mother, Claudia). He also received word that the rose was being sold as ‘Gloria Dei’ (Glory to God) in Germany and as ‘Gioia’ (Joy) in Italy.
During the German occupation, the Meilland family had to remove their roses in order to grow crops for food.
In 1944, a month after France was liberated, Meilland received word that the rose was being grown in test gardens all over the United States and the American Rose Society found the rose to be exceptional.
The Conard-Pyle Company introduced this rose in America under the appropriate name of ‘Peace’ on April 29, 1945, coincidentally the same day Berlin fell to the Allies and the war was pronounced over. That June, when the 50 members of the United Nations met for the first time at the United Nations Building in San Francisco, each found a blossom of the rose in their room.
‘Peace’ was give the All-American Award on the day Japan surrendered, and the rose received a gold medal from the American Rose Society on the day Japan signed its peace treaty.
It is estimated that in the next nine years, more than 30 million ‘Peace’ roses were planted world wide. The money from the sales allowed Meilland to rebuild his stock of roses and quickly return to business. Today, the Meillands are still creating roses.
Weeks Roses grow about 40,000 ‘Peace’ roses a year and it is the number-two seller, exceeded only by Mr. Lincoln. It is the only rose introduced in the 1940’s that is still popular today.
As the famous hybridizer Sam McGredy once said, “For the record, ‘Peace’ is the greatest rose of my time. It’s as nearly perfect as a rose can be."
In 2018, the US Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Peace rose. The photograph for the stamp was taken by former Portland Rose Society president, Rich Baer.
One thing unique about the ‘Peace’ rose is that it “sports” very easily (a branch will produce a different rose). ‘Chicago Peace’ gold medal winner in 1962 is one of those sports.
We will exit the Gold Medal garden through the arch and walk uphill to where we started.
Thank you for visiting!
Consider visiting the Rose Garden Store for some lovely gifts and mementos of your visit to the International Rose Test Garden. Proceeds support Portland’s Rose Festival Foundation.