With the 80th anniversary of D-Day observed on June 6 this year, the history of the ‘Peace’ rose comes to mind. In 1939, French rose breeder Francis Meilland selected fifty cuttings from a special rose he had created. It was known by its tag number, 3-35-40, and was a new and promising variety. Three months after he selected this young rose for future sales, Hitler invaded France, and Meilland’s nursery was destroyed.
Luckily, Meilland had sent parcels of cuttings from rose 3-35-40 out of France to other countries for safekeeping. One parcel was sent in a diplomat’s bag to America. In America, a breeder, Conard Pyle, Co., planted the rose cuttings in their trial beds and gave other cuttings to growers throughout the U.S. for further testing.
The rose had a pale, yellow center with pink edges. Its delicate look and sweet fragrance made it popular with breeders who wanted to offer it to the public. The date of April 29, 1945, in Pasadena, was chosen to introduce this new rose to America.
Because there was no communication between growers during WWII, the rose was given several names: French breeders named it ‘Madame Antoine Meilland’ in memory of Francis Meilland’s mother, German breeders named it ‘Gloria Dei’ (Glory of God), Italian breeders named it ‘Gioia’ (Joy), while American breeder, Conard Pyle, Co., named it ‘Peace’.
On April 29, 1945, two doves were released in Pasadena to symbolize the official release of the new ‘Peace’ rose. On that same day, Berlin fell to Allied forces, and a truce was declared that marked the eventual end of WWII. On May 8, 1945, Germany signed its surrender.
On June 22, 1945, fifty delegates met in San Francisco to form the United Nations. On the day the delegates were to sign the UN Charter, they each found a ‘Peace’ rose in their hotel room with a card from the American Rose Society stating, “This is the ‘Peace’ rose, christened in Pasadena on the day Berlin fell. We hope the ‘Peace’ rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.”
Since its introduction, millions of ‘Peace’ roses have been planted in yards, parks and rose gardens worldwide. Its beauty, fragrance, and hardiness have made it one of the most popular roses ever bred. In 1976, it became the first cultivar to be awarded the title of “World’s Favorite Rose”. By 1992, over 100 million ‘Peace’ roses had been sold.
The ‘Peace’ rose is still popular today and is still grown worldwide. In fact, the ‘Peace’ rose has been used in breeding programs around the world and has contributed to the creation of over 150 new varieties.
Each D-Day, when we honor our soldiers who gave their lives defending freedom, may the ‘Peace’ rose be a reminder that America’s goal is for everlasting peace.
By Karen Bowen
Karen is the Pacific Region Butterfly Chairman and a member of Yuma Orchid & African Violet Society.
Photo 1 Karen Bowen
The striking beauty of the ‘Peace’ rose makes it a favorite variety since its introduction in 1945.
Photo 2 Wikipedia
Young Francis Meilland poses with his parents, Antoine and Caludia Meilland, in 1919. His family were French rose breeders for three generations. Francis bred many rose varieties, but his most famous was the ‘Peace’ rose.
Photo 3 Wikipedia
U.S. Marines engaged in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII.
