Introduction & History

When the world's most famous rose took to the walls, it created one of the most spectacular climbing sports in horticultural history. 'Climbing Peace' is a climbing mutation of the legendary Hybrid Tea 'Peace' (also known as 'Madame A. Meilland' or 'Gloria Dei'), discovered by Brady in 1950 and quickly recognized as something extraordinary. The enormous blooms, often 15 cm across, display the same breathtaking color that made the original Peace an icon: creamy yellow petals flushed and edged with soft carmine pink, no two flowers ever quite the same. Seen high on a sunny wall, these luminous blooms seem to capture and radiate light itself. Climbing Peace allows gardeners to enjoy the world's most celebrated rose on a grand scale, its massive flowers cascading from heights that transform any wall, pillar, or pergola into a monument to the art of rose breeding.

Breeding History

Discovered as a climbing sport of 'Peace' (Hybrid Tea) by Brady in the United States, introduced in 1950 by the Conard-Pyle Company. The original 'Peace' was bred by Francis Meilland in France between 1935 and 1939, a cross between a seedling of 'George Dickson' x 'Souvenir de Claudius Pernet' and a seedling of 'Joanna Hill' x 'Charles P. Kilham'. The climbing sport inherits the full magnificence of the bush form's flowers while adding the vigor to reach 4-6 meters. Climbing Peace received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Like many climbing sports of Hybrid Teas, its repeat-flowering is less frequent than the bush form, producing a spectacular main flush with occasional later bloom.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Flowers are very large and fully double, with 40-45 petals, opening from fat, ovoid buds into high-centered exhibition-quality blooms 12-15 cm across. The color is a luminous pale yellow, deepening to golden yellow at the base, with petal edges flushed and suffused with carmine pink. Coloring varies with temperature and season — cooler weather intensifies the pink edging. Flowers are typically borne singly on long, strong stems. Fragrance is moderate, a pleasant fruity sweetness with hints of citrus and fresh-cut pear, less intense than many other climbing roses.

Garden Design & Uses

Climbing Peace demands a prominent position where its magnificent blooms can be admired close up: beside a frequently used path, around a sitting area, or flanking a front entrance. Spectacular on a warm south or west-facing wall where the flowers develop their finest color. Combine with blue-flowered Clematis such as 'Perle d'Azur' to complement the yellow-pink tones. Avoid planting near other strongly colored roses, as Peace's subtle coloring is overwhelmed. Use as a focal point rather than massing. Pairs beautifully with pale blue delphiniums and white foxgloves below.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

A vigorous, stiffly upright climbing rose reaching 4-6 m tall and 2.5-3 m wide. Canes are very thick and rigid, requiring careful training while young before they harden. Foliage is large, dark green, leathery, and very glossy — the signature Peace foliage on a grand scale. Thorns are large, hooked, and abundant. Growth is strong but canes can be reluctant to produce basal breaks once established. The plant builds a permanent woody framework over several years and is long-lived, with specimens exceeding 40 years recorded. Training onto horizontal wires is essential for balanced coverage.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5b-9b. Tolerates winter temperatures to -26°C with adequate protection, though some cane dieback is expected in the coldest zones. Best performance in warm, dry climates where the flower coloring develops richest tones. In cool, damp climates the flowers may ball in prolonged rain due to their density of petals. Heat tolerance is good through zone 9, though afternoon shade helps in the hottest areas. The variety needs a long warm season to produce its best blooms.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Requires deep, fertile, well-drained soil with generous organic matter. pH 6.0-6.8 is ideal. Plant 40-50 cm from the base of a wall to avoid rain shadow. Dig an extra-large planting hole (60 cm wide, 50 cm deep) to accommodate this vigorous variety. Set bud union 5 cm below soil level in cold climates. Mulch generously with well-rotted manure. Water deeply at planting and throughout the first two growing seasons.

Container Growing

Feasibility: Very difficult. Climbing Peace is too vigorous and has too large a root system for satisfactory container culture. If attempted, use the largest container available (minimum 70 cm diameter) with a strong support structure. Results will be disappointing compared to ground planting. Far better to grow the bush form of Peace in containers. Only consider a container if no ground space is available, and expect reduced vigor and fewer flowers.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Remove winter protection gradually in March. Prune out dead and damaged wood, retaining the main framework. Shorten side shoots to 2-3 buds. Apply granular rose feed and fresh mulch. Begin tying in new growth. Summer: Deadhead individual blooms promptly. Apply liquid feed every two weeks during the main flowering period. Water deeply in dry weather. Train and tie in new canes as they grow, while still flexible. Autumn: Apply potash-rich feed in September. Secure all canes firmly to supports before winter storms. Remove fallen leaves. Winter: Mound the base with compost in zones below 7. Check and repair ties. Consider wrapping exposed canes with burlap in the coldest zones.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1) Expecting repeat bloom equal to the bush form — climbing sports are typically less recurrent. 2) Failing to train canes while young and pliable — mature Peace canes are extremely stiff and resist bending. 3) Planting in shade — needs full sun (6+ hours) for the flowers to develop proper color. 4) Hard pruning — removes the established framework needed for flowering. 5) Forgetting to spray — the variety inherits Peace's moderate black spot susceptibility.

Propagation

Climbing Peace is typically propagated by budding onto Rosa laxa or R. canina rootstock, as cuttings from stiff climbing wood are difficult to root. Bud in July onto established rootstock for best results. Semi-ripe cuttings from lateral shoots in August may root with rooting hormone, but success rate is low (30-40%). The variety is protected by plant patents in some jurisdictions; check local regulations before propagating. Own-root plants are rare in commerce. Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.

Diseases & Pests

Inherits the moderate black spot susceptibility of the original Peace. Preventive spraying with triticonazole or myclobutanil every 10-14 days is advisable in humid climates. Powdery mildew may appear in warm, dry conditions with cool nights. Aphids colonize new growth in spring. Japanese beetles are strongly attracted to the large, pale blooms. In wet climates, the dense blooms may develop botrytis (grey mold) if rain persists during flowering. Good air circulation and full sun are the best preventive measures.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Superb as a cut flower, producing exhibition-quality blooms on long stems. Cut when outer petals have just begun to reflex from the classic high-centered bud stage. Place immediately in deep warm water with floral preservative. Individual blooms are stunning in a single specimen vase where their luminous coloring and size can be fully appreciated. Vase life is 6-8 days. The subtle fragrance perfumes a room gently without overwhelming.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Climbing Peace is available from specialist nurseries and larger garden centers, though less commonly stocked than the bush form. Essential for any collection focusing on climbing sports of classic Hybrid Teas. Individual blooms can be exhibited in Climbing Rose classes at ARS shows, where their size and color command attention. The variety has high historical significance as the climbing form of the world's most famous rose, introduced just five years after the bush form's legendary 1945 debut.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to the bush form of Peace, the climbing sport produces identical flowers but on a larger, more vigorous plant that reaches 4-6 m. However, repeat flowering is significantly less reliable, with the main flush in June being the primary display. Against 'Climbing Madame Caroline Testout', Climbing Peace has larger, more complex-colored flowers but is less hardy. 'Golden Showers', another yellow climber, is far more recurrent but has smaller, simpler flowers that lack Peace's legendary coloring.

Heritage & Conservation

Climbing Peace is securely preserved in major rose collections worldwide, including the Sangerhausen Rosarium, Roseraie du Val-de-Marne in Paris, and numerous public and private gardens. The variety is available from specialist nurseries though less widely stocked than the bush form. Not endangered; budwood is maintained by major rose nurseries globally.

Cultural Significance

Climbing Peace carries all the cultural weight of its legendary parent. The original Peace rose was named to celebrate the end of World War II, cuttings having been smuggled out of France just before the fall of Paris in 1940. It was presented to delegates at the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The climbing sport extends this symbolism, allowing the world's most famous rose to reach new heights literally and figuratively, gracing the walls of embassies, memorial gardens, and homes across the world.

Frequently Asked Questions