Welcome guest author Charles Waco Bankston, who writes about Hybrid Tea Rose Chicago Peace: Although my time on this Earth began in 1976, much occurred before and much will occur after—I’m certain of it. The 1960’s were anything but uneventful. As a matter of fact, several important events occurred in 1962. Marilyn Monroe died. Iron City Beer invented the pop top (called zip tops) can; the now infamous and ever-excited Tom Cruise was born, and of course, there was the Cuban Missile Crisis. But even more personally exciting to me was the birth of a rose, not just any rose, but one that has won the world over time and time again—Hybrid Tea rose Chicago Peace. Of the Hybrid Tea rose classification, Chicago Peace has become a favorite rose of many, including yours’ truly.

From my high school rose growing days, Chicago Peace has always had a place in my garden with its deep canary yellow and pink blends and in its final days fading to a light pink with hints of yellow. Introduced in 1962 and discovered by Johnston as a sport of Peace, in of course, Chicago, this rose is perfect Hybrid Tea rose form.

Johnston’s discovery, Chicago Peace, turned out to be one of the best looking and performing roses of all time. Chicago Peace bears roses that are extremely double in form and have a slight, almost fruity fragrance. I have found that even given our long, hot and steamy summers here in the deep South, Chicago Peace bears foliage that is a glossy, light green color and the blooms themselves remain intact over quite a long period provided they are given fresh water frequently.

The number of roses Chicago Peace bears only seem to be reduced in size by a fifth in the hottest months, outperforming many of the other Hybrid Tea rose varieties I grow in my garden. Chicago Peace appears to be somewhat resistant to blackspot and mildew and the blooms don’t seem to be fancied by the insects as much as some of the other varieties certainly are. All in all, as long as I have gardens or shall I say as long as I have breath in me, there will be a place (or two or three) for Chicago Peace thanks to Mr. Johnston in ’62.

About the author, author of perennialandrosegardening.net: I’m Charles Waco Bankston (call me Waco), born and raised in Northeastern Louisiana . Gardening, especially ornamental gardening has always been an out for me, an escape of sorts. In addition, gardening has been much less expensive than the best psychotherapy could offer and certainly much more efficient. I began the art of rose growing in my high school days with the aid of an elderly couple and mentors, Jack and Dovie Kinkaid. Their love and respect of the garden transcended generations as now evidenced in my two year old, who probably knows more now about gardening than most know as adults. Although collegiate degrees possessed are not in Botany and Plant Physiology and the like, I am currently working on my Master Gardener’s certificate and conducting research on studies currently underway with rose hybridization. My hobby resides in researching plant pests and diseases and the ever popular cure. Photography is becoming a favorite pastime as well.

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