Mine is in first flush right now, so it's far too early to for me to issue an opinion (but I'll give a premature one anyway). . . The buds seemed abnormally small, but the blooms burgeoned in size as they opened. Absolutely clear (almost blinding) white -- not a trace of any other color. Very full, wonderful form, good substance. J&P describes the scent as 'strong, citrus'. It has a definite citrus-y fragance, but I'd classify it as medium.

Right now, the five open blooms are carried on stems of varying length, so the overall effect is quite nice. I've not cut one yet, but am anxious to see how it fares in the vase. Am also curious about how it will look fully open. I'll wait awhile before giving an assessment of the foliage.

I tend to avoid white HTs, but decided to buy this one after reading the superlative review posted here by Jerome. The purchase was unique for me in 2 respects: It was the most I'd ever paid for a bareroot, & it was the smallest bareroot I've EVER received from an American source. Tiny.

You're probably right to be skeptical of new J&P intros, but I'm very impressed with another of their '07 releases -- 'Sheer Magic'. This one lives up to the catalog hype, & then some. The description doesn't do justice to the foliage, which is dense, dark & shiny (almost like green patent leather).

It really is too early to give an honest opinion. We will see in a couple of years. But so far it looks ok. I mean what does it matter, I will have to keep it anyway it performs, after all you wouldn't shovel prune the Pope would you. I know I won't be able to.

Patrick

I am not generally a white rose lover - but I love this one. I would get more, if I could find any. Gorgeous! This is from the very first bloom cycle, by the way!

{{gwi:270313}}

"shovel prune the Pope would you?" Bursted out laughing on that one!

I want it and I'll get it when it is normally priced... IF I don't see any blackspot or PM here on it...

Where is the superlative review posted here by Jerome?

I have two of these and had 42 buds on one of them. They all opened to the most magnificent white HTs I've ever seen. Definitely a keeper for me and I plan to buy two more next year.

I don't have it...yet, but the one I saw at the nursery was gorgeous and smelled heavenly. The blooms were huge, perfectly formed and snow white and the fragrance was a strong citrus to my nose. They had it between Ronald Reagan on one side and Loves Promise on the other, PJP,II really stood out. That's all I can say.

I agree with Decobug, I am waiting for the price to go down. I think they are selling them locally in milkboxes for $24.00. That's normally the price of a potted plant in full bloom. Redemption is not cheap!

Oh Gosh Pope John Paul passed away. Sorry you didnt get the news. YUK YUK

Yuk Yuk??????

I just got one this year, and it took longer than anything else to break dormancy. However, it's now starting to leaf out very well. I don't expect any bloom from it this year, but it is looking very healthy.

Just for fun, I checked Froogle, and found a link to a Jackson and Perkins weekly special: buy Pope John Paul II for $25, get Veterans' Honor and Peace for free.

Emmie

Here is a link that might be useful: Weekly special

That's all well and good. It could be the most magnificent white rose of the century, but if the Thrips use it as a snack bar, it wouldn't be a keeper for me. If it resists Thrips, then it truly would be a sainted rose.

My Pope John is on its second flush already. The second flush flower production is quite good ( at least 10) even though the plant was started just this year. The flowers are large, moderately to strongly fragrant, have good form and pure white color (not cream either). So far I like it very much. It seems to stay on the short side for now which is actually desirable to me. If there is one complaint, its stems are kind of weak. Maybe it will imrpove with age.

Can anyone tell me how this rose perform as a cutting flower? Thanks!