Hey Carol.

I know a lot of people here grow this rose. I'm sure you will like it. I had one on order from J & P but saw a really happy one at a local nursery so bought it instead. Have it sitting out on the back porch today to enjoy the rain.

At HMF it is described as being 4 to 5' tall. So we would be talking about a BIG pot. In regard to your other question it is said to be very disease resistant. I won't know for sure until mine grows up a bit. Did you buy it or you are contemplating doing so?

Kate

Here is a link that might be useful: Pope John Paul II at HMF

Carol I see you did buy it. You know you can always grow it in a pot this summer and either bury the pot this winter or store it in a garage and then plant it in the garden next year. Just a thought.

Kate

Hi Kate,

I always look roses up on HMF but I find that the information they have is not always accurate as to size and disease resistance. Was really hoping for some "real life" experience with this rose. Thank you. I hope we both like PPJII.

Carol

Hey Carol,

I bought my PPJII last spring at a local nursery in a box. I planted it in a large pot out front and it is a WONDERFUL rose! Disease resistant, gorgeous blooms and it smells heavenly! I was out pruning the other day and tried to move it and couldn't. It had grown roots down thru the bottom of the pot and wouldn't budge. The only problem I did have is that the thrips seemed to like it but otherwise a real winner!

Carole

Hey Carole,

Thank you, that is very helpful. I was hoping that the thrips would ignore this one. :-)..I was thinking I could maybe keep it in a pot on the deck for a year just to smell the blooms but I guess I should go ahead and put it in the ground if it's already sent roots out the bottom oa a large pot at your house. I have a virused Paloma Blanca that I need to replace so he can have her spot.

Carol

This is a great rose!!
I bought 2 of them last year and was pleased to no end with the vigorous growth of the bush and the beautifully formed and fragrant the blooms are.
My two got to about 3'-4' tall and were rather spreading in habit. If you put them in a container you will need to make sure it is a big one with plenty of room for the roots to spread.
You should really love this rose as it is a great one already I think.
John

Thank you John, I am glad to hear that it has done well for you. I do believe he is going to have to go in the ground! I am anxious to see and smell the blooms on this rose.

Carol

PJP is beginning its 2nd yr in my garden. During its 1st season it remained healthy (I spray) and produced lots of flowers in regular flushes. However, the blooms became smaller and smaller as summer temps increased. That's not an unusual circumstance, but it was especially evident with PJP. This is a rose that is probably at its very best under conditions that are in the moderate range.

Hmmmm.

I have this rose on order, but I'm from a MUCH colder zone. I can (with a lot of winter protection and deep graft burying) overwinter a lot of zone 5 roses (not all). But zone 6 is just too cold. Helpmefind lists JPII as zone 6 - but then they're always ultra zone conservatives.

Does anyone in zone 5 grow this rose. Is it cane hardy in zone 5. Don't know if it should go in the ground or in a pot to overwinter in the garage. DH is getting a wee bit concerned about the number of pots in the garage - LOL.

Carol

Boy they sure did have an overabundance of this rose in those J&P Milk Cartons at the nursery I was at today. All the other roses had there two rows of whatever kind on top of the display table but when it came to the POPE JOHN PAUL rose, they had 4 rows and more than that underneath the display table. Not sure what this means but seems like not many are being sold locally here or the nursery made a major snafu overbuying goof. Probably both.

I was worried about the Thrips problem. For a white I have Tineke, and although the fragrance is non-existant the Thrips don't disfigure the petals too much. That's too bad about JP ll, I had my eye on it.

Not sure what this means but seems like not many are being sold locally here or the nursery made a major snafu overbuying goof. Probably both.

* * *
Or else it is still relatively early in the season and they are expecting big demand.

I wouldn't let thrips prevent you from getting this rose. Any light colored rose will have this problem. It has little to do with the plant.

You are right about light colored roses and thrips. However there are some light colored roses that don't attract thrips as much as other light colored roses. When we had the major Thrips invasion of 2005/2006 I decided then and there that I wasn't doing all this work in order for the blooms to turn into Thrips food. Only time will tell how JP ll ranks in relationship to other light colored roses.

IMO this is one of the best J&P roses to come along in years. So many of their other "winners" have been duds. PJP has everything - health, vigor, form and fragrance. Can't go wrong with this one. -Paul

I am glad to report that I love this white rose and think it is probably the best white HT available on the market today for the average gardner and rosarian.
My two PJPII bushes grew very vigorously and bloomed heavily all year long last year and I have no disease or insect problem at all, including the nasty little thrips. Also, it's blooms are deliciously citrussy scented and last a long time when cut for a vase in the house.
I am also glad to report that my two bushes really performed well over the winter and had very little cane die back at all. I didn't winter protect them at all, so that says alot for it's innate winter hardiness. I am expecting great things from these bushes this second year in my garden now they are somewhat established. Remember the old adage when it comes to growing roses...
First year they sleep
Second year they creep
Third year they leap!!
I think that is a very true statement and especially true for this rose.
Try it, you will definitely like it in your garden.
John

Hi John
I purchased and planted JPJII last summer. It bloomed one rose and then winter came. It didnt survive. I am also in your time zone specifically northeaster PA. You mentioned you didnt winter protect. Do you have recommendations for this plant? I have attached a picture of mine last summer before the winter killed it.
I have purchased another so I will once again try to see if it makes it.
{{gwi:237750}}
Carolina