If there’s a rose that embodies the resilience of Louisiana, it’s the Peggy Martin. Sometimes called the “Hurricane Katrina Rose” for its extraordinary survival story, this beloved climber brings a touch of Southern charm to gardens from Baton Rouge to the Bayou.
Plant Characteristics
Vibrant pink blooms burst forth in the spring, a beautiful contrast to the backdrop of glossy green foliage. This vigorous rose can easily reach heights of 15 feet or more, perfect for adorning fences, walls, or trellises. While it does have long, arching stems, I wouldn’t worry too much about pesky thorns. Peggy Martins are considered semi-thornless, making management much easier than other roses.
Two Weeks
After Planting
(Pre-Established)
When first planting your Peggy Martin, have an end-result in mind so you can begin training the vines. For care, be generous with water as roots are stressed. Root stimulator is great insurance to make plants establish more quickly.
Early May, 1-year after planting
First Year Full of Blooms
First Year Full of Blooms
Final Results!
Progress photos from Christina Grantham. Great job, and thanks for sharing!
Photo by Elissa Jasmin, thanks for sharing!
Louisiana Lovin'
Care Guide
- Sunlight: Give your Peggy Martin full sun, at least 6 hours a day for the best bloom production.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is key. Louisiana clay can be tough, so amend it with compost, gypsum, or organic matter for happy roots. If you’re in one of those flood prone areas, consider a raised bed.
- Watering: Water deeply, especially during those hot summer months. Let the soil’s top inch dry out a bit between watering sessions, though.
- Fertilizer: We recommend a fertilizer with slight higher phosphorous content, applied multiple times in the spring, once a month in the summer, and one last application in early fall. We suggest a rose + systemic mix for easiest care.
- Pruning: While not necessary like hybrid tea roses, Peggy Martins still benefit from light pruning. After the biggest flush in the spring, you can tidy it up to encourage its shape and more blooms in the fall.
