The ‘Peace’ rose, also known by its original name ‘Gloria Dei’, is an iconic and beloved figure in the world of gardening. Its widespread recognition stems from its remarkable beauty and inherent resilience, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced cultivators. This rose has captivated gardeners across the globe, establishing itself as a symbol of horticultural excellence.
Characteristics of the Peace Rose
The ‘Peace’ rose exhibits a distinctive blend of colors, showcasing soft yellow petals that gradually transition to a delicate pink or crimson blush along their edges. These large, high-centered blooms possess a classic hybrid tea form, unfurling elegantly as they mature. The flowers emit a mild, sweet fragrance.
This rose demonstrates a vigorous growth habit, forming an upright, bushy shrub. It reaches a mature height of 4 to 6 feet with a similar spread. Its robust nature contributes to its hardiness and ability to produce abundant, glossy dark green foliage.
Planting and Establishing Your Peace Rose
Selecting the appropriate site is important for the healthy establishment of your ‘Peace’ rose. These roses thrive in locations that receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, which is crucial for vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Good air circulation around the plant also helps deter fungal diseases.
Proper soil preparation before planting significantly contributes to the rose’s long-term health. ‘Peace’ roses prefer well-draining loam rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. Amending heavy clay soils with compost or other organic materials improves drainage, while adding peat moss can help lighten sandy soils and retain moisture.
When planting, dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots, two feet wide and one to two feet deep. For bare-root roses, create a small mound of soil in the center to spread the roots over, ensuring the bud union sits at or above ground level in colder climates. After positioning the rose, backfill the hole with prepared soil, firm it, and then water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Ongoing Care for Thriving Peace Roses
Watering
Consistent moisture is important for the ‘Peace’ rose, especially during dry periods and throughout its blooming season. Deep watering once or twice a week is generally more beneficial than frequent shallow watering, encouraging the roots to grow deeper into the soil. Aim to deliver about one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation, ensuring the water penetrates the root zone.
Signs of under-watering include wilting leaves and a general lack of vigor, while yellowing leaves and stunted growth can indicate over-watering due to poor drainage. Using soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems can deliver water directly to the root zone, minimizing water loss to evaporation and keeping foliage dry, which helps prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizing
Regular fertilization supports blooming and growth of ‘Peace’ roses. Begin feeding in early spring when new growth emerges, and continue every four to six weeks until six to eight weeks before the first anticipated frost. A balanced granular fertilizer specifically formulated for roses, such as a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 blend, works well.
Alternatively, slow-release fertilizers can provide a steady supply of nutrients over several months. Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to prevent root burn and follow the product’s recommended application rates. Over-fertilization can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms or even damage the plant’s roots.
Pruning
Pruning promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering in ‘Peace’ roses. Deadheading, the removal of spent blooms, is done throughout the growing season to encourage the plant to produce more flowers rather than setting seeds. Cut the spent flower stem back to a five-leaflet leaf facing outward, just above a strong bud.
Structural pruning is typically performed in early spring when leaf buds swell. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged canes, cutting them back to healthy wood or the graft union. Remove any crossing canes or weak, spindly growth to improve air circulation and allow light penetration into the center of the bush.
Aim to maintain an open, vase-like shape with three to five strong, healthy canes. Make clean, angled cuts about one-quarter inch above an outward-facing bud. This encourages new growth to expand away from the center of the plant, creating a well-formed rose bush.
Pest and Disease Management
‘Peace’ roses are susceptible to common garden pests such as aphids and spider mites. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects found on new growth, while spider mites are tiny arachnids that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing. A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids, and insecticidal soaps or neem oil can manage both pests.
Fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew are common. Black spot manifests as dark spots on leaves, leading to defoliation, while powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating. Good air circulation, proper watering techniques (avoiding overhead watering), and sanitation by removing infected leaves can help prevent these issues. For established infections, fungicides specifically labeled for roses can be applied according to product instructions. Regular inspection allows for early detection and treatment.
Winterizing Your Peace Rose
Preparing your ‘Peace’ rose for winter is important in colder climates to protect it from freezing. After the first hard frost, when the plant has entered dormancy, clean up fallen leaves and debris around the base of the plant to remove overwintering sites for pests and diseases.
Mounding soil or compost around the base of the rose to a height of 10 to 12 inches provides insulation to the bud union and lower canes. In regions with very harsh winters, protection can be provided by wrapping the canes with burlap or using rose cones. This prevents damage from extreme cold and drying winter winds.
These winter protection measures are implemented in late fall, after the rose has experienced a few light frosts but before sustained freezing temperatures set in. Removing this protective covering in early spring allows the rose to resume its growth cycle.