Monday, May 20, 2013

Grandma Caroline’s Peony Rose


I grew up with this rose. Mother called it “Grandma’s Peony Rose,” her grandmother’s (Caroline Jenkins Howard) pride and joy plant.





Mother took a root from the original plant and grew it in her garden for many years. But alas, with the neglect of the garden that inevitably come with aging, her rose is no more.

Luckily, I took a sprout from her rose bush and planted it shortly after we moved into our current home, some 20 years ago. It has never been a great performing rose for me – subject to blackspot disease and given to legginess and weak canes. But perhaps I’ve never nurtured it, although it is a special heirloom plant for me. This year I shall do better.

When this rose blooms it will almost take your breath away! Ah, the old-rose fragrance is like no other I’ve known! The blooms are quite large with many petals. The color is deep pink, with a tinge of magenta.

I have noticed this year that my little bush is struggling, competing with the errant cherry tree seedling that have fallen into the flower bed, as well as the daffodil bulbs nearby.


Today was the day I decided to do something about it. I gingerly inserted a shovel all around the stragglely remaining root and dug it out. It’s being conditioned right now in a pail filled with water and Epsom salt, and later today I will plant it in a different location.

Sarah Caroline Jenkins Howard (this picture taken in the 1930s when she was well into her 80s. She died in  1942  at the age of 91)
I am wondering if this struggling plant is the lone offspring remaining of Grandma Caroline’s Peony Rose. I do not know if any of my mother’s siblings got a start from the original plant. I think it would be a shame to have it die out, so once the plant recovers, perhaps next year, I’m going to take cuttings (or ask my sister to, for she is far better at rooting plants than am I) for rooting and sharing with other family members who have an interest in preserving this plant.

Later today, I shall take these two lone roses blooms the bush produced this year to my mother. That will make her happy – to know that Grandma’s Peony Rose has survived.


We have no idea of the real name of this rose. If any rose enthusiast out there should see this picture and is able to identify it, please let me know. Thank you!

12 comments:

  1. I love peonies...our grocery stores now sell them and they are absolutely to die for...I am glad you are trying to preserve this. Why do you have epsom salt in your water? Wishing you a happy Monday.

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    1. Don't they smell wonderful? Mona, if you read my previous post you'll know why Epsom salt was in the water; it gives plants a good start when replanting!

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  2. Sanda,could it be 'The Bishop' a highly scented cabbage rose introduced about 1821,there are also some what we call Damask roses similar to your description? Happy hunting.I checked these out in Peter Harkness' The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Roses.

    Bet your mother was pleased with them.

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    1. Oh, that's great. I'm going to check out the reference you provided. Could be a real detective case.

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  3. What a beautiful rose and a wonderful story to go with it. I hope you are able to rescue it and that eventually some of your other family members will get a starter.

    Darla

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    1. I hope so too, Darla. It's too beautiful a rose to lose, and has a real history in our family.

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  4. I enjoyed the history you have of this rose, which is beautiful.
    Thumbs up, you manage to replant it safely.

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    1. I noticed it wilted down today during the midday heat. But I suppose it's just going through shock from replanting. I'll keep it watered every day.

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  5. What a magnificent rose, and a very special story which comes with it. I can almost smell the perfume just looking at those lovely blooms and I imagine your mother was thrilled with them. Good luck with the plant and I hope it propagates through the family.

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    1. She was thrilled with the two rose blooms I took to her. I plan to take very good care of the rose this time!

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  6. What a beautiful rose and such a wonderful story. How well I remember the smell of this as well as the beautiful color. Hope you can keep it going - at one time I had a piece of it going but I'm not good at roses and it died away. I will help you root cuttings but you are the rose grower and I will do all to keep this one going that I possibly can.

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    1. I am hoping so too! I bought special fertilizer and disease/fungus control and plan to treat it regularly throughout the growing season.

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