This year I planted the Peggy Martin rose after hearing the amazing story behind the rose. Many of the historical roses I love are true survivors, but no rose has a more amazing story than the Peggy Martin Rose.
This rose was one of only two plants surviving 20 feet of salt water over the garden of Mrs. Peggy Martin, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in late August, 2005. Peggy lost her home, her parents, her rose garden of more than 450 antique roses she had collected for 30 years, as well as their commercial fishing boat to the storm!
MEET PEGGY MARTIN…
Peggy Martin has a new rose garden of more 300 roses and has been a no-spray organic gardener for 40 years!
I will have the pleasure of chatting with Peggy Martin about her experiences on August 3 when she joins us for Rose Chat Radio. You can join us too — more information about that here.
Below is a Peggy Martin Rose that is growing in Peggy’s “new” garden…
Chamblee’s Rose Nursery acquired cuttings from the original rose in New Orleans in January, 2007. I bought mine from them this spring. They sent a very healthy little plant that has grown to be about 2.5′ high. For info on ordering this rose, read on.
This rose is obviously extremely hardy as well as a vigorous climber. The fact that it is virtually thornless makes it even more desirable for walkways or around children’s play areas! As far as blooms are concerned, the pictures tell the story of what this rose does in early summer! And I’m told this rose often comes back with another bloom cycle in late summer/early fall.
My Peggy Martin rose will be roommates with Francis E Lester on the wonderful new rose arbor Mr G built. (Read more about that here.) I think they will be very happy together! But, just may compete for space! 🙂
Hard to believe that June is coming to a close. I have enjoyed spending National Rose Month with you and sharing some of my favorite roses. Thank you for going on this journey with me.
What’s Next?
So far I have not seen my first Japanese Beetle but I know they are on their way, so I will be out there protecting my roses! There may not be many rose blooms to see for the next few weeks, BUT that just gives my perennials an opportunity to take center stage–stay tuned–I love to share about them too!
Here’s one of the perennials making a great show right now as a companion to my Poseidon Roses … Yarrow!
