The Story of the Peace Rose

The largest rose in this photo is a Peace Rose from my rose garden.  It is arguably the most famous rose of all time.  

Francis  Meilland, was the hybridizer  who first cross-pollinated two roses, ((George Dickson x Souv. de Claudius Pernet) X (Joanna Hill x Charles P.  Kilham)) X Margaret McGredy, from which was born a not so great a little seedling the next year, with a few eyes budded.  No one was particularly impressed.  Then that same fall, one of the seedling  was covered in foliage, and it was lush, dark green, and to go with that were large blooms, they were the most beautiful delicate ivory-with pale yellow brushes.  The edges of the roses were touched with pink.  It was a true beauty!

At first just like Pola Rose, there was no name for her, they simply called her #3-35-40.  From weakness, with little chance of coming to fruition, the story of success of the Peace Rose went on.  

There was a war on when the Peace Rose was introduced in France, and at that time and place they called her by the name Mme A. Meilland, in Italy as Gioia, and in Germany she was introduced as Gloria Dei.  Overnight she was a huge success.  Meilland had named the rose in France after his mother.

As the war grew closer and closer, just before the occupation of France, the rose stock was smuggled away on some of the last planes to leave France for the United States.   In April of 1945, the Conard -Plye Company offered
the rose in America, having paid an unheard of 33% royalty to Mr. Meilland.  Jackson Perkins, by far the most famous of the rose growers, had considered that too high a royalty.  The date of that first show was the day that Berlin fell, and the war came to an end.  On that day the rose was introduced to the world as the Peace Rose.  The show where this took place was in Pasadena, California at the First Annual Rose Show of the Pacific Rose Society.  At the ceremony, two white doves were released, symbolizing peace returning to the world.  

She was awared the All-American Rose Selection Award for 1946 (AARS.)  Since that time it is estimated that up to 50 million Peace Rose plants have been grown.  The Peace Rose is most popular rose of the 20th and 21st Century by all accounts.  Many other awards have come since that initial one, and 500,000 are still grown annually.   

In addition other hybrids have been been developed from the rose... peace spreads...  Roses such as  Double Delight, Perfume Delight, Garden Party and Princesse de Monaco, have come from the lineage of the Peace Rose.

Jackson Perkins is the most famous of all the rose growers of the world, but when they were offered the reins of Peace, they passed up the chance.  I believe the reins of peace could easily be taken up by the leadership of Islam.  Let it be so, the chance to bring peace to the Middle East can be held by the true leadership of Islam.

  

I Like To See Credentials, Education, and Experience in the U.N.'s Diplomats

Well, personally I think Angie should stay home and take care of all those kids... that's what I did.  Not to mention, Americans who run around the Middle East giving out advice can impact my own life, and the lives of those innocent people of the Middle East.  Surely, those who make cheap and vile movies do, as we have seen with the unprecedented violence and anti-Americanism that is sweeping the Middle East since You Tube allowed the posting of that cheap and vile movie produced by a single disturbed American.  Individual Americans can effect the lives of so many, so great care should be given to each of our individual actions to first do no harm.

Angelina Jolie is traveling through the Mid East, especially those countries which border Syria, asking that nations will keep their borders open for refugees.  One of the first things that comes to my mind is, well since she is a person of such wealth, and the citizens of these countries live in such poverty, and their countries do not have unlimited resources, perhaps she should pitch in some of her own wealth to support the care and feeding of those fleeing Syria.

I feel compelled as well to point out the security risk that arises when a country opens its' borders as the oppressed of one nation spill into the next.  Terrorists are likely to move across with them, and begin subversion activities in that nation as well.  Care must be taken not to un-stabilize countries which have at least some security.

Angie stated:
  
"The most important thing is cooperation from the countries on the (Syrian) border ... and to make sure these borders in all countries stay open," Jolie told Australian Herald Sun reporters at the Domiz refugee camp.
"I've been of course very encouraged to be here and hear the government speak of continuing this wonderful, life-saving open border policy." 

I would beg to differ Angie... and I hate to point it out, but the life style you have lived isn't necessarily one that is greatly admired in the Middle East, whether you are a "movie star" or not.  In light of the current reputation of the film making industry in the United States, you should take great care in what you say and do...  That is coming from a person who has a dog in this hunt.