ROSE OF THE WEEK

PEACE

Hybrid Tea. 3ft-5ft.  1939

This beautiful and outstanding Hybrid Tea is probably the most famous rose in the world.  To date it has sold well over one hundred million plants world wide and is without a doubt the most successful garden rose of all time, and has often been given the title  ‘The Rose Of The Century’

The huge opulent blooms are a delicious blend of colours.   The petals are a lovely lemony yellow and edged with pure cerise pink that deepens and spreads with maturity.    The perfect blooms form a classic hybrid shape and the blooms can be as large as 5-6 inches (15cms) across.    Flower production is extremely lavish and the blooms last a remarkably long time, either on the plant , or when cut and put in water.
The growth is strong and healthy with large glossy green foliage and is a very easy to grow variety.   In some areas is has good disease resistance, but in damp conditions it does tend to get a bit of black spot.   However that can easily be kept under control with spraying and a bit of TLC.     The perfume is not powerful but does have an interesting fruity fragrance.     ‘Peace’ has also been used in many breeding programmes around  the world, and it is probably true to say that most of our modern roses are descended  in some way from ‘Peace’

The history of ‘Peace’ and how it came about is a fascinating story which is well worth telling.

In 1935 the French rose breeder Francis Meilland chose fifty seedlings from his seed beds. One of which was labelled 3-35-40.   Over the next few years Francis  watched its development with interest and planned to launch the new rose as ‘Madame Antoine Meilland’.
However a few months later Hitler invaded France and the future of the rose nursery looked dire.   To ensure that the new rose was not lost forever Francis managed to get three parcels of budwood out of the country, one of which was smuggled out in a diplomatic bag on the last plane out of France.   The budwood was sent to another rose breeder, Robert Pyle  in Pennsylvania  USA

Over the next few years Francis launched his new rose in France  as ‘Madame Antoine Meilland’.  He was unaware that some of the budwwod had reached Germany and Italy and the rose was being sold under different names.   In Germany is was called ’Gloria Dei’  (Lain for Glory Of God) . And in Italy is was being sold as ‘Gioia’  (Joy)     Francis had not had any word from America and had no idea the fate of his rose over there.
It was not until the liberation of France in 1944 that Francis finally heard from Robert Pyle that the rose had survived the war and was being grown very successfully .
In the meantime Francis had decided to change the name of the rose.  He wrote to Field Marshal Alan Brooke to thank him for his part in the liberation of France, and to ask him if  he would give his name to the rose.  The Field Marshal declined stating that a far more fitting name would be ‘PEACE’

The new name ‘PEACE’ was publicly announced in America by  Robert Pyle on the 29th April 1945 , the very day that Berlin fell and was officially considered the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Towards the end of 1945 ‘Peace’ roses were given to each of the delegations at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco each with a note which read

“We hope the ‘Peace’ rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace”.

The rose sold in its millions around the world, and the Meilland family were due to make a fortune out of the royalties that ‘Peace’ would generate.    As an extra thank you from Robert Pyle he presented them with a brand new 1946 Chevrolet Sedan.

Francis Meilland died in 1958 , but the family continue to breed roses and is still one of the most successful and highly revered rose dynasty’s  in the  world today

After ‘Peace’ became so  well known around the world, Francis wrote in his diary:  “How strange to think  that all these millions of rose bushes sprang from one tiny seed  no bigger than the head of a pin, a seed which we might so easily have overlooked, or neglected in a moment of inattention.”

AWARDS

Portland Gold Medal 1944.

All American Rose Selection 1946

American Rose Socity Gold Medal 1947

National Rose Society Gold Medal 1947

The Hague Golden Rose 1965

World Federation Of Rose Societies, Hall Of Fame.

World’s Favourite Rose 1976

Royal Horticultural Society Award Of Garden Merit 1993

‘Peace’ was voted the World’s Favourite Rose in 1976 by the World Federation Of Rose Societies.  The Federation also entered the rose into the Society’s Rose Hall Of Fame in 1976 an honour shared with just  13  other roses.

 Francis Meilland  (left)

For more information on all our roses, please visit our extensive web site,

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

Published in: on February 25, 2011 at 10:09 am  Leave a Comment  

BOOKS ON ROSES.24

CLASSIC ROSES

Author. Peter Beales.
1997

  Updated, enlarged and re-illustrated, with more than 600 new colour photographs.
Classic Roses is an authoritative history and the essential manual for all rose growers and rose lovers. It identifies and describes all the species, cultivars and varieties that have stood the test of time, including the ancient Chinese teas, the York and Lancaster roses, the Provence and Bourbon roses, and the humble and hardy rugosas.
This definitive work is a grower’s guide to the buying, propagation, feeding and pruning of old roses and importat hybrids, shrub roses and climbers.
Special contributions from US rose experts include: William Grant on the phenomenon of rose-rustling in California and the southern states of America; Malcolm M. Manners on mosaic virus; and Malcolm Lowe on North American pests.

 Available from Amazon and The Book Depository.

 

Over 1000 varieties of roses in stock

 www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

 

Published in: on February 24, 2011 at 8:57 pm  Leave a Comment  

CHARITY ROSES

THE YORK MINSTER ROSE

Support Your Favourite Charity.

Harkness Roses will launch this new rose at Chelsea Flower Show in May 2011. 

Roses will be available to the public in the Autumn 2011.

A lovely repeat flowering Floribunda with creamy, full petals and a delicate flush, echoing the centre of the wonderful Rose Window in York Minster, now restored to its former glory after extensive damage after the 1984 fire.

A good healthy and vigorous rose with a delightful scent.
Funds  raised from the sale of the rose will help to restore and preserve York Minster for future generations.

CHARITY ROSES

Further details on all charity roses can be found on our web site.

 

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

 

 

 

Published in: on February 20, 2011 at 1:17 pm  Leave a Comment  

ROSE OF THE WEEK

MARGARET MERRILL
(Harkuly)
Floribunda. 1977.  3ft-4ft

Ask any rose enthusiast which rose has the best perfume, and invariably this rose is at the top of many lists.    For over thirty years this beautiful rose has been grown all around the  world, not only for it’s outstanding perfume but  for it’s beauty, reliability and health.    
It has taken pride of place in  millions of private gardens, and planted profusely in public and municipal gardens in practically every country where the climate allows.   
A truly remarkable rose which has won numerous awards around the globe which include. 
 Geneva Gold Medal 1978.  
Monza Gold Medal 1978.  
Royal National Rose Society Edland Fragrance Award 1978.   
Rome Gold Medal 1978.  
New Zealand Gold Medal & Fragrance Award 1982
Royal National Rose Society . James Mason Medal 1990
Auckland Fragrance Award  1992.

It has often been called the perfect floribunda rose which is high praise indeed considering how many floribunda’s have been bred over the years.    
The blooms on ‘Margaret Merrill’ are quite large for a floribunda and often measure 4ins (10cms) across .   The blooms begin as hybrid tea type buds and open very wide, singly, and in clusters.     The almost transparent petals are white with a faint blush tint towards the centre, and have attractive golden stamens.    
The flower production is  exceptionally prolific and the blooms are produced on short to medium length stems which are ideal for cutting..     The flowering period is quite remarkable as the blooms appear almost continually from early summer and well into the autumn.    The abundant handsome foliage is big and glossy and the leaves are very close to the flower, giving a high shouldered effect that shows off the crisp flowers to perfection.    The plant will tolerate a wild range of climates, but we have found that it does best in a cooler climate.        We have always found it a very healthy and robust rose which is easy to maintain.  Occasionally in wet weather it does  tend to show a little black spot, but this can be easily kept under control with regular spraying and is not a big problem.

The sublime quality of Margaret Merrill’s perfume is legendary.  Even after forty years  it’s as stimulating and exciting as ever.    The perfume has been described as a mixture of citrus and spice.
The perfect bedding rose which also makes an amazing scented hedge.

Who was Margaret Merrill ?
The rose was named after Margaret Merrill,   which was the  nom de plume for a fictitious  Oil Of Ulay beauty advisor.

Bred by Harkness. UK

Full details on all our roses can be found on our web site.

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

 

Published in: on February 18, 2011 at 10:43 am  Leave a Comment  

RNRS

ROYAL NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY

The Garden Of The Rose.

 

Society Objectives.

Today, the objectives of the Society, which is a registered charity, are to encourage, improve and extend the science, art and practice of the cultivation and conservation of roses and to disseminate knowledge of roses and rose growing both in the garden and the environment by means of education, training, trials, publications, promotion of display gardens, the holding and regulation of shows, scientific research and international co-operation.

 

The Royal National Rose Society.

Founded in 1876 to promote the growing of roses, provide information and help to rose growers across the country.  At this time the Society was largely a club for the benefit of the select few who grew roses to show, rather than for the benefit of the wider rose growing public.

 

During the Society’s existence it has grown in stature and reputation and is now generally regarded as the leading Rose Society in the world.    The membership now extends worldwide and includes many affiliated horticultural societies and research libraries, as well as rose loving individuals.

 

The headquarters are based at the flagship gardens- “Royal National Rose Society Gardens Of The Rose”,  Chiswell Green in Hertfordshire.    The garden offer stunning displays of ten of thousands of roses, both old and modern,  complemented by companion plants.   The gardens are now open to the general public as well as to our members;  they have undergone a complete refurbishment with new roses,  herbaceous perennials, spring bulbs, shrubs and lush grassy areas to give year round interest.

Garden visitors will now get the chance to see at first hand the development and growth of this exciting new attraction.   A living directory of roses. 

 

A vital function of the society is to conduct trials for new breeds of roses from all over the world.  The International Merit Trials held at the “Gardens Of The Rose” for both amateur and professional breeders are renowned worldwide.

 

The  Society, where possible , provides help with any rose related problems, from finding a specific rose through to identifying roses as well as providing general and specific rose care advice, 

 

The Society also hold, what is considered to be the world most comprehensive rose library with books dating back to the early 1900s.  This facility provides a useful resource for both our members and many affiliated learning institutions throughout the world. 

 

Royal National Rose Society  -  Garden Of The Rose.

 

The gardens, were officially opened by renowned garden expert Peter Seabrook on the 9th June 2007.

The Royal National Rose Society Gardens have been completely rebuilt to a design by Michael Balston & Co.  

 

In her opening speech, the President Ann Bird, referred to the gardens as a “Living Directory Of Roses” .     As the garden grows the Society will capture the development and growth of the roses and link the images to the Garden Guide.

A new entrance to the south of the garden makes use, once again,  of the trial ground car park, a new toilet block with disabled access and a refurbished tea room (the tea room is also open for non garden visitors.) complete the new look to the garden entrance this year.

Wheelchair-Friendly.   The new gardens have been designed with wide, wheel chair friendly paths.  They also have a  small number of wheel chairs for visitors use on a first come first served basis.

 

Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads at all times.

Garden Highlights Include.

 

  • A rose collection, showing the history of the rose.
  • Roses in a garden setting showing different styles of planting.
  • A series of small model garden to give inspiration for growing roses in small spaces.
  • The newly replanted Queen Mother garden.
  • New cultivar trials to provide an educational experience as well as being a pleasure to the eye when in full flower.
  • A grass maze.
  • The rose garden’s new tea room which provides, morning coffee, home made biscuits and cakes, light lunches and afternoon cream teas.
  • A much longer season of interest making extensive use of other plants which associate well with roses.

 

The Royal National Rose Society aim to have a garden which members can enjoy and feel proud of, one that attracts visitors and promotes the rose.    Like all gardens the “work is in progress”  and the intention is to continue to develop the Society’s garden so that it becomes  the premier rose garden in Britain.

Visit the Garden Of The Rose for a fabulous day out.

 

 

Membership.

Join the National Rose Society today and you will enjoy :

 

  • Free advice from rose experts on how to choose the right roses to grow and selection of
  • companion plants for roses.
  • Free advice from rose experts on rose care and rose growing problems.
  • Free copy of  ‘The Rose’ magazine three times a year.   This beautifully produced magazine is packed with stunning rose photographs as well as practical advise from expert rose growers, topical articles and rose news.
  • Free access to beautiful rose gardens  including Sudeley Castle,  Mannington Gardens and
  • Renishaw Hall Gardens and more including the Society’s garden.
  • A Free Bare Root rose or a Rose Handbook.
  • Access to the Society’s specialist courses and workshops and practical pruning and rose
  • Demonstrations held throughout the year.   Members can also use the Society’s library, thought to be the most comprehensive rose library in the world.
  • The opportunity to show roses you have grown and to attend rose shows.
  • Access to the members only area of the National Rose Society’s web site.

 

For more information or telephone membership enquiries call

0845 833 4344

 

For more information or join on line, log on to

 

www.rnrs.org

 

 

The Royal National Rose Society

Chiswell Green Lane

St Albans

Hertfordshire

AL2 3NR

Registered Charity No. 1035848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published in: on February 16, 2011 at 6:00 pm  Leave a Comment  

ROSE OF THE WEEK

GRAHAM THOMAS

(Ausmas)
English Shrub Rose  1983. 5ft Plus.

We have long been a fans of the David Austin “English Roses”, and watched their popularity rocket over the years until they are now known worldwide and probably the most admired group of roses on the planet.    There are now hundreds of varieties of “English Roses” available with eagerly awaited new varieties being  produced each year.   We have recently extended our “English Rose” sales area and  now stock over eighty varieties and still growing.   This year is no exception and we have included four new varieties.   “Cariad”  “England’s Rose”  “Maid Marion” and “Princess Anne”.
If you have yet to discover “English Roses” please see the “English Rose” section on our web site which carries a brief history and explanation.
GRAHAM THOMAS
We planted a bed of “English Roses” over 20 years ago and they are all still going strong, especially “Graham Thomas”.     “Graham Thomas” was among one of the earlier varieties and is certainly one of the best known of the group.   This more than any other variety is responsible for the popularity of the group and is now grown all around the world. 
The beautiful cup shaped flowers are of medium size, and their colour is an unusually rich and pure yellow that would be hard to match even among Modern Roses.  It was quite a colour break through at the time as the rich yellow was entirely missing among Old Roses.   The upright growth is both bushy and vigorous and produces a large strong and handsome specimen growing to about five feet.
In recent years David Austin has re-classified many of his larger roses into Shrub/Climbers and this rose comes into that range.     It can be grown as either a large shrub up to five feet, or with a little help and less pruning can be grown as a short climber around eight to nine feet.   Over the years we have always grown and sold them as shrubs, but last year we grew on  quite a few as climbers and they were very successful.   
As usual with most of the “English Roses” the perfume is outstanding and this rose is no exception.  It is described as having  a fresh Tea Rose fragrance, with a cool violet character typical of its colour group.    It has won many awards over the years including The Henry Edland Medal For Fragrance in 2000.   The James Mason Award from the RNRS in 2000.   Winner of the RHS Award Of Garden Merit, for a plant of outstanding excellence.   Recently it was voted the World’s No.1 Rose by the World’s Federation Of Rose Societies,  The Federation also entered the rose into the Society’s Rose Hall Of Fame, an honour shared with only thirteen other roses.

This outstanding rose was named to commemorate the man who did more than anyone in the 20th century to re-introduce old roses to their present popularity.

 

Graham Stuart Thomas OBE 1909-2003
Horticulturist. Artist. Author. Poet. Garden Designer.
Garden Advisor to the National Trust for over thirty years and was awarded the OBE for his work in the organisation.

 

 

Over 1000 varieties of roses to choose from.

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

Published in: on February 11, 2011 at 5:28 pm  Leave a Comment  

FIND THAT ROSE

FIND THAT ROSE

The Guide To Who Grows What.
Compiled For Rose Lovers.

If you are trying to find a particular rose, this book lists every rose on sale in the UK.
In addition it tells you where to get it, the names and addresses of most of the growers and suppliers in the UK plus web sites and telephone numbers etc.
This invaluable little book also features masses of useful information for anyone interested in roses.

To obtain the latest copy, send a payment of £3-90 to

Find That Rose
303 Mile End Road
Colchester
CO4 5EA

 

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

Published in: on February 9, 2011 at 9:03 pm  Leave a Comment  

CHARITY ROSES

ETERNALLY YOURS

Support Your Favourite Charity.

 

THE ROTHERHAM HOSPICE
Broom Road

Rotherham
S60 2SW

Tel 01709 308 900
Fundraising: fundraising@rotherhamhospice.org.uk

Web  www.rotherhamhospice.org.uk

The Rotherham Hospice is committed to providing the highest standard of specialist palliative care for patients suffering from life limiting illnesses over the age of 18. The Hospice needs £2.3 million a year to provide a range of services and secure its future and more than 50% of this has to be raised through voluntary donations and fundraising activities .

Later this year, we will be able to support more people in Rotherham when we open an extension that takes our total number of beds to 14. This means it will cost in the region of £600,000 extra, per year, to run the Hospice.

CHARITY ROSES

Further details on all charity roses can be found on our web site.

 

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Published in: on February 9, 2011 at 6:57 pm  Leave a Comment  

GARDEN HUMOUR

A Class For Everyone

Two old age pensioners were sitting outside a Flower Show tent.

One said to the other “Life is so boring, we never seem to have any fun any more.
For £10 I would strip off and streak through the middle of the flower tent”
“You’re on said the friend”  Producing a £10 note .
The first pensioner stripped off and completely naked , ran through the flower show tent.
Waiting outside the friend heard shrieks off laughter and loud applause coming from inside the tent.
Suddenly the first pensioner appeared from out of the tent followed by a cheering crowd.
“What happened” said the friend.
Looking a little sheepish the pensioner said,

“I won  first prize for the best Dried Arrangement”

Over 1000 varieties of Roses to choose from.

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk 

 

 

Published in: on February 8, 2011 at 12:29 am  Leave a Comment  

GARDEN HUMOUR

My Wife the Gardener

 She dug the plot on Monday –
the soil was rich and fine,
She forgot to thaw out dinner –
so we went out to dine…
She planted roses Tuesday –
she says they are a must,
They really are quite lovely
but she quite forgot to dust.
On Wednesday it was daisies –
they opened up with sun,
All whites and pinks and yellows –
but the laundry wasn’t done…
The poppies came on Thursday -
a bright and cherry red,
I guess she really was engrossed –
she never made the bed…
It was violets on Friday –
in colours she adores,
It never bothered her at all –
all crumbs upon the floors
I hired a maid on Saturday –
my week is now complete,
My wife can garden all she wants –
the house will still be neat!
It’s nearly lunchtime Sunday –
and I cannot find the maid,
Oh no! I don’t believe it!
She’s out there WITH THE SPADE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 1000 varieties of Roses to choose from.

www.countrygardenroses.co.uk

Published in: on February 8, 2011 at 12:17 am  Leave a Comment  
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