Peace rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily. Morning sun helps dry the leaves; light afternoon shade can help in very hot climates.

Water

Water deeply at the base when the upper 2 in (5 cm) of soil dries. Newly planted roses need regular watering through their first growing season.

Soil

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid waterlogged ground and very dry, shallow soil.

Height

4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m)

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Late spring or early summer to autumn in repeat flushes; large, double, creamy yellow flowers with pink edges. Colour and fragrance vary with weather and flower age.

Foliage

Large, glossy, dark green, divided leaves with toothed leaflets; young growth often reddish. Stems bear sharp prickles.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

High

• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.3 ft (0.7 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (0.9 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.1 m)

5. After 5 years

   5 ft (1.5 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water the root area deeply during dry spells rather than sprinkling the leaves.
• Apply rose fertiliser as growth starts, then repeat according to the label; stop nitrogen-rich feeding well before winter.
• Mulch with 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of compost or well-rotted manure, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Remove faded flower clusters back to a strong leaf to encourage repeat flowering.
• Allow air space around the plant and collect fallen diseased leaves.
• In colder parts of its range, protect the crown or graft union with a mound of soil or compost after the plant becomes dormant.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, as buds begin to swell and severe frosts ease, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems. Shorten the remaining strong stems by roughly one-third to one-half, cutting just above outward-facing buds.

Late autumn to early spring

Plant bare-root roses while dormant, provided the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.

Late winter to early spring

Prune before strong new growth; delay in cold districts until the worst frosts have passed.

Spring

Apply rose fertiliser and refresh the mulch as growth begins.

Late spring

Inspect new shoots for aphids and check lower leaves for black spot.

Summer

Water deeply in dry weather, deadhead regularly and feed as directed on the fertiliser label.

Autumn

Collect diseased fallen leaves and stop nitrogen-rich feeding.

Late autumn

In cold climates, protect the crown or graft union once dormant.

• Plant in a dedicated rose bed with enough spacing for airflow and access for pruning.
• Use in a sunny mixed border with catmint or hardy geraniums to soften the bare lower stems.
• Place beside a path or terrace where the large flowers can be seen closely, keeping prickly stems away from passing people.
• Grow in a cutting garden for long-stemmed summer bouquets.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Traditional, Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden, Formal and Pastel border.

Plant it with: Catmint, Hardy geranium, Salvia, Lady's mantle, Allium and Lavender.

Wildlife: The densely double flowers offer limited access to pollen compared with single roses. Aphids on the shoots can support ladybirds, lacewings and other predators; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.

• Black spot causes dark leaf spots and premature leaf fall: collect infected leaves, water at soil level and maintain airflow; use a locally approved rose fungicide if necessary.
• Powdery mildew coats young leaves and buds with white growth: prevent drought stress, improve airflow and remove badly affected tips.
• Aphids cluster on soft shoots and buds: wash them off with water or use insecticidal soap according to the label, avoiding open flowers and beneficial insects.
• Winter dieback can kill exposed canes: protect the crown in cold regions and prune damaged wood back to healthy tissue in spring.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Chewing large amounts of leaves or flowers may cause mild stomach upset; prickles can injure skin, mouths and eyes. Do not eat flowers treated with pesticides not approved for edible crops.

• Chicago Peace rose (Rosa 'Chicago Peace')

  A sport of Peace with more strongly pink flowers and yellow to coppery colouring toward the petal bases; colour varies with conditions.

• Climbing Peace rose (Rosa 'Climbing Peace')

  Has similar yellow-and-pink flowers but produces long climbing canes needing support, rather than the compact framework of the bush rose.

Bred by Francis Meilland and named 'Madame A. Meilland' in honour of his mother, it was introduced in the United States as 'Peace' in 1945.

Propagation. Propagate by budding or grafting onto suitable rose rootstock, or try semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Cuttings can be less reliable, and own-root plants may establish more slowly; seedlings will not come true to the cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.