Meet The Peggy Martin Rose

 

The Story of the Peggy Martin Rose

 

I am fascinated by the stories surrounding plants, and the story of the Peggy Martin Rose is one of the best. Also known as the Hurricane Katrina Rose, this vigorous climbing rose produces beautiful clusters of pink flowers and is known for having very few thorns.

Once established, it can put on an incredible show of flowers in the spring, with repeat blooming later in the season. But what makes this rose truly special is the remarkable story behind it.

 

 
 

Where the Story Began

 

The story begins with Louisiana gardener Peggy Martin, who received cuttings of an unnamed climbing rose in 1989. An active member of the New Orleans Old Garden Rose Society, Peggy eventually shared the rose with Dr. William C. Welch of Texas A&M University.

Dr. Welch was impressed by the rose and began growing it in Texas. It proved itself to be a vigorous climber, eventually covering a large section of fence and producing beautiful clusters of flowers.

 
 

A Rose That Survived Hurricane Katrina

 

Then came Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Peggy’s home and garden in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, were devastated by the storm and flooding.

When Peggy was eventually able to return to the property, much of her garden had been lost—but the unnamed climbing rose had survived.

Its remarkable survival after such devastation added an entirely new meaning to a rose that was already proving itself to be a tough and beautiful garden plant.

 
 

The Peggy Martin Rose

 

Dr. Welch had already recognized that the rose deserved wider attention, and after hearing its incredible survival story, the plant became known as the Peggy Martin Rose.

Its introduction also became an opportunity to help restore gardens damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Participating growers helped raise money for garden restoration efforts through sales of the rose, turning this beautiful plant into something even more meaningful.

 
 

A Symbol of Resilience

 

Today, the Peggy Martin Rose is loved not only for its clusters of pink flowers and vigorous climbing habit, but also for the story it carries with it.

Give it plenty of sun, good drainage, and a sturdy structure such as a fence, arbor, or trellis to support its vigorous growth. Like other roses, it will perform best with appropriate watering and care while becoming established.

More than anything, the Peggy Martin Rose has become a beautiful symbol of survival, restoration, and resilience—and that’s what makes its story so special.