The Rose and Me

Would Jove appoint some flower to reign

in matchless beauty on the plain

The Rose (Mankind will all agree)

The Rose the Queen of Flowers should be--Sappho

My Peace Rose in My Garden

For me, it was love at first sight. I can still remember the exact moment of when I fell in love with "The Rose." I was 5 years old in Brooklyn, New York. I went to my best friend ("BFF") Diane Pappas' house. At the right of her front gate, was the smallest red rose with the most incredible fragrance. If I close my eyes, I still can recall the scent.  That was the moment. They are now a passion and an addiction. Once you are hooked you are hooked. If I have a choice between a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes or a rose bush, I will always choose the rose bush! I can just hear my kids: "My mom dresses like a homeless person but you should see her rose garden!"  (Sorry, kids.)  I have several varieties in my garden.  I won't tell you how many I have because, well, I am embarrassed. I can't stop until I end up in a nursing home  and even then I hope for a little window box for miniature roses (Kids, you better bring me a window box!) 

Home grown roses are absolutely magnificent. They have a soul; so different from the commercially grown roses that you get from a florist. No two are the same, not even on the same bush. And, each has a story to tell. Whether in fragrance or in petal count or in shape or in color and hues. Young school children are especially fascinated by home grown roses. I think they have some sort of sixth sense--they are able to recognize the magic of the natural organic beauty of roses. It really is amazing to watch a child as he or she touches and sniffs a beautiful rose; they kind of get a euphoric look on their face. 

In my conversations, I am always amazed how afraid people are of growing roses. What you need is a minium of 6 hours of sunlight, air and water.  When I say air, I mean they need space, they need circulation. They like their vitamins once a month (if you can remember) during growing season. I swear, I think they grow more beautiful the more you admire  them.   They are a little narcisstic yet, they are very, very forgiving at the same time.  You cannot really over prune them.  And, if you do, they come back better and stronger than ever.

The most famous rose of all is the "Peace" rose and the story of its survival during WII.  The breeder, Francois Meilland in Lyon, France knew that the Germans were about to invade.  He was fearful that this rare and beautiful rose that he had created would be destroyed. He did all that he could to ensure its survival; he shipped off seedlings to friends around the world in hopes of securing its future. 

The American Rose Grower, Robert Pyle, a recipient of the seedling, not knowing if the Meilland family was alive had issued this statement: 

“We are persuaded that this greatest new rose of our time should be named for the world’s greatest desire: PEACE…. We believe that this rose is destined to live on as a classic in our grandchildren’s gardens and for generations to come. We would use the word Peace to preserve the knowledge that we have gained the hard way – that peace is increasingly essential to all mankind, to be treasured with greater wisdom, watchfulness, and foresight than the human race has so far been able to maintain…. Towards that end, with our hopes for the future, we dedicate this lovely new rose to PEACE.” For the complete fascinating story of the "Peace" rose please  click here.

All across the country there are local rose societies as well as the All American Rose Selection. Here in Northern California, our branch is the Marin Rose Society.  They are a wealth of  rose information. Most importantly, they can also tell you which roses will do well your particular growing zone. So start researching and start talking to some experts. Rosarians love to share their knowledge and encourage folks to grow roses. Talk to them so you can be ready to  plant at least one rose bush next winter. Perhaps, you too will fall in love at first sight.

In hope of Peace,