Rosa Pope Jean-Paul II

Rosa Pope John Paul II is a modern hybrid tea rose appreciated for its long, highly fragrant pure white flowering. Its large double flowers are beautifully campanulate. They bloom from late spring until frost on an upright bush with a vigorous rate of growth. The roses are enhanced by beautiful glossy dark green foliage. Its long stems and powerful fragrance make this variety a perfect cut flower rose.

Rosa Pope John Paul II 'Jacsegra' is a modern bush rose with large flowers obtained in the USA by Dr. Keith W. Zary, in 2006. This dense, bushy and erect shrub reaches about 1.15m (4ft) in height and 70cm (28in) in width at maturity. It has a rapid growth rate. It produces strong, long, thorny and well-branched stems, which bear elegant foliage that is initially bronze before turning a glossy dark green. From May to October, the plant produces waves of large 15cm (6in) diameter flowers, with the typical campanulate shape of hybrid tea roses. They are composed of 30 petals, barely tinged with ivory in the centre, and open to a very tight heart. They are carried at the end of long shoots from the current year or by those that emerge from 2-year-old stems. The rose will flower continuously if faded blooms are regularly removed. The repeat-flowering is characterised by a pronounced but pleasant fresh and lemony fragrance.

With its large white roses and intense fragrance, Rosa Pope John Paul II deserves a place not far from the house, which will provide a beautiful reserve of flowers for bouquets at any time. Light-flowering perennial plants (autumn asters, foxgloves, penstemons), grasses, and nepetas are ideal for enhancing its beauty and accompanying it late in the season. For example, combine it with Geranium 'Rozanne', G. 'Pink Cloud', Geranium grandiflorum, panicum, Nepeta 'Walker's Low', and campanulas. It will look lovely when planted alone, for example in a group of 3 plants, as well as in a small flowering hedge or a large border. Its flowers make beautiful bouquets in the company of red or soft pink peonies, iris, campanulas, and mauve lilacs.