The Peace Climbing Rose is celebrated for its beauty and vigorous growth. Developed in France by Francis Meilland in 1935 and introduced in the United States in 1945, its release coincided with the end of World War II, leading to its symbolic name. It quickly gained international acclaim, becoming one of the most popular and widely planted roses globally. Its popularity stems from its stunning blooms and robust nature, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking a climbing rose with historical significance.
Peace Climbing Rose Characteristics
The Peace Climbing Rose is distinguished by its large, 5 to 6-inch wide, double blooms. These flowers exhibit a captivating blend of colors, featuring creamy yellow centers that transition to vibrant pink or carmine-pink edges, sometimes with hints of red. The petals are heavy-cupped to high-centered, creating a classic rose form. This variety also offers a pleasant, fruity, sweet fragrance.
The foliage is glossy and dark green, providing a lush backdrop for its blooms. As a climbing rose, it exhibits vigorous growth, with canes reaching heights of 6 to 20 feet (185 to 610 cm) and can spread up to 15 feet. It is recognized for good disease resistance, particularly against black spot and powdery mildew.
Planting and Growing Your Rose
Selecting the right location is key for a thriving Peace Climbing Rose. This variety needs full sun, at least six to eight hours daily, for optimal growth and flowering. While it can tolerate some partial shade, reduced light may result in fewer blooms and weaker plant vigor. Good air circulation also prevents fungal diseases.
The Peace Climbing Rose grows best in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Prepare the soil by loosening it deeply and incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrients. Dig a hole twice the root ball’s width and depth. Position the graft union (the swollen part where the rose was grafted) just above or slightly below the soil line, depending on your climate. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart for proper air circulation and growth.
Ongoing Care for Peace Climbers
Consistent watering is essential, especially during dry periods and for new plants. Regular moisture promotes lush foliage and vibrant blooms; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base to avoid wetting foliage, which prevents fungal diseases. Established plants need about 10 liters of water per week, adjusted for weather and soil.
Fertilizing supports continuous blooming, as these roses are heavy feeders. Begin fertilizing in early spring as new leaves emerge, using a balanced granular or water-soluble rose fertilizer. For optimal blooms, choose a fertilizer with a slightly higher phosphorus content. Apply after each flush of blooms until late summer to avoid tender new growth susceptible to frost damage.
Prune Peace Climbing Roses in late winter or early spring when dormant, removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood. This improves air circulation and directs energy to healthy growth. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering. Remove any remaining foliage after pruning to eliminate dormant disease spores.
Training and Supporting Your Climbing Rose
Peace Climbing Roses need physical support for their vigorous growth. Use trellises, arbors, pergolas, walls, or fences. If attaching a trellis to a wall, position it a few inches away for air circulation and easier training. The support must be sturdy enough for the mature rose, especially in wet or windy conditions.
Maximize blooms by training canes horizontally. This encourages lateral canes, where flowers form. Gently bend and tie main canes to the support using flexible materials like plant tape or pantyhose, allowing slack for growth. Begin training when canes are young and pliable; older canes can be trained incrementally.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Peace Climbing Roses are robust but can encounter issues. Lack of blooms can stem from insufficient sunlight, inadequate fertilization, or improper pruning that removes flowering wood. Ensure at least six hours of direct sun and apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to stimulate flower production. Proper pruning, preserving main structural canes and encouraging horizontal growth, is also important for abundant blooms.
Black spot and powdery mildew are common fungal diseases. Black spot causes circular black spots, often leading to yellowing and leaf drop; powdery mildew appears as a white coating on foliage. Prevent these by ensuring good air circulation, avoiding overhead watering, and promptly removing infected leaves. Organic sprays like neem oil or milk solutions can be used for prevention or early treatment.
Aphids and spider mites can also affect Peace Climbing Roses. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth, causing distortion and leaving honeydew. Spider mites are tiny arachnids causing leaf stippling and fine webbing; they thrive in hot, dry conditions. For aphids, dislodge with a strong water stream or apply neem oil. For spider mites, increase humidity and spray leaf undersides with water or horticultural oils.