Peace roses make great cut flowers and offer both beauty and a lovely fragrance. In fact, peace roses are so well-loved that they have won awards and have been voted into the Hall of Fame with the World Federation of Rose Societies. Common pests include aphids, scale, caterpillars, and spider mites. Common diseases include black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
Light
Roses thrive in lots of sunshine and require at least 6 hours of sunlight during the growing season. The peace rose can tolerate partially shaded areas, though it may not bloom. For best results, plant in an area with plenty of sunshine.
Soil
Rich, loamy soil is ideal for peace roses. A soil pH of acidic to neutral is preferred. Before planting, work the soil well and add generous amounts of compost. This improves drainage and enriches the soil.
Water
Peace roses have average watering needs, so long as the soil drains well. Moist soil is necessary, but too much moisture can cause problems. Check the soil with your index finger or a moisture meter. When the top inch is dry, go ahead and water. This is a plant that needs more water when growing and blooming, (about two inches per week), so it’s important to establish a consistent watering schedule. Once the rose stops blooming, cut back and only water when the soil dries out.
Temperature and Humidity
Peace roses are a hardy variety that can be grown within USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. These roses can handle frost as well as hot temperatures and do best with average humidity levels. Give them some space as good airflow is key to keeping them healthy and preventing moisture-driven fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Like other roses, peace roses thrive in rich, nutrient-dense soil. To provide needed nutrients, amend the soil with compost before planting. Then apply fertilizer beginning with the first early spring pruning. Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for roses or a well-balanced, high-quality fertilizer.
Types of Peace Rose
Climbing Peace: AA climbing variety reaching up to 20 feet tall, with a similar leaf and bloom appearance as the original peace rose. Chicago Peace: The Chicago peace rose has more vibrantly colored blooms, sporting oranges and pinks. This variety is slightly smaller and only reaches up to 4 feet in height. Each bloom grows to about 5 inches in width and stays open, rather than producing multiple flushes of blooms like the original peace rose. Garden Party: Garden party roses are a light-colored version of the peace rose, mostly consisting of white with hints of light yellow and pink. These blooms reach about 5 inches in width.
Pruning
Proper pruning is key for growing a healthy rose shrub. It is best to prune roses in the early spring. To prune your hybrid tea rose bush, cut away any dead branches and branches crossing and rubbing against each other. Keep the center open for plenty of airflow. Then prune down the longest branches to about 6 inches from the base. Less vigorous branches can be pruned to around 4 inches from the base. This intense pruning encourages new, healthy growth each year. Because a rose is a grafted plant, suckers should also be removed. This pruning should take place later in the growing season when suckers are easier to identify.
Propagating Peace Rose
Peace rose bushes can be propagated with hardwood cuttings taken in the fall or by chip budding in the summer. Whichever propagation method you choose, gloves will protect you from the thorns. To propagate through hardwood cuttings, you need a sharp pair of snips, a pot of well-draining, sandy soil mix or a jar of water, and rooting hormone. Then follow these instructions: To propagate with chip budding, you need a sharp knife, a rootstock plant, a bud from your peace rose, and plastic wrap. Then follow these instructions:
How to Grow Peace Rose From Seed
Peace roses can also be grown from seed. You will need the seeds, a plastic bag, wet paper towels, a pot with draining holes, well-draining soil, and grow lights or a sunny spot to place the planted seeds. Then follow these instructions:
Potting and Repotting Peace Rose
Peace roses can also be kept in containers, as long as the container is large enough to accommodate the roots of the plant. Choose a large, deep pot for mature shrubs. Be sure the pot also has good drainage to allow for excess water to drain away. Potted roses will need more water and more fertilizer than those planted in the ground, so keep close tabs on the soil and the growth of your rose. Once the rose bush fills the container, it is time to repot. Gently tip the pot onto its side and tap it to loosen the roots. Using gloves and wearing a long sleeve shirt to protect against thorns, gently wiggle the rose bush out of the pot and plant it into a larger container. Position the rootstock at the same level as in the original pot. Fill the pot with fresh soil, making sure the roots are fully covered.
Overwintering
To help your rose survive cold winters, stop trimming spent blooms in the fall. This will allow the rose bush to go to seed and prevent it from creating new, tender growth. Once the first frost hits, cover the bottom of the shrub and the bud union with fresh soil to keep it insulated. Perform any necessary pruning. In the spring, when temperatures begin to warm, remove the added soil to expose the trunk of the bush.
How to Get Peace Rose to Bloom
Peace roses produce large, double blooms known for their soft yellow and pink coloring. These blooms begin to appear in spring and continue into late fall. They give off a light, sweet, floral scent. To encourage blooming, continue to deadhead throughout the growing season. Be sure the plant receives plenty of sunlight and feed with rose fertilizer regularly.
Common Problems With Peace Rose
Although peace roses are a hardy rose variety, they can still run into trouble, primarily with blooming or yellowing foliage.
No Blooms
A rose bush that does not bloom is a common problem, most often caused by not enough nutrients or sunshine. Evaluate how much of both of these key factors your bush is getting and adjust accordingly. Because peace rose blooms from spring to fall, it may need multiple applications of fertilizer throughout the growing season.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, under-fertilizing, or disease. Check your soil’s moisture. If it is soggy, hold off watering until the soil begins to dry. Loosen the soil or add well-draining material, such as sand. If too much fertilizer is the culprit, thoroughly water the soil to wash it away. If there is a large buildup of fertilizer, you may need to replace the soil. If the yellowing leaves also present dark spots or fungal growths, disease is the cause. Remove the infected leaves and apply a fungicide.
