The Meilland Richardier heritage, origin dates back to 1867. A tangle of lives & encounters …
Having their roots in LYON and its surroundings, the ancestors Meilland and Richardier have made Rose a devouring passion that, over the decades, has only strengthened. It’s a story that continues today, both on our creation site of Saint-andre at Cannet-des-Maures in the Var in the south of France and on our Lafayette production site in Diemoz in France. Isere. And also around the world with our partners and friends Germans, Americans, Australians, Chinese, Spaniards, Dutch, Italians, Japanese …
The Rose “PEACE”, a story in History. Just before the Second World War the rose number 3-35-40 is sent to all international correspondents Meilland …. In 1942, the all-new rose was awarded the 1st prize, the Gold Medal, at the International Roses News Contest in LYON with the mention “Plus Belle Rose de France”. In the autumn of 1942, Francis published the variety in the Meilland catalog, under the name of his late mother, Mme A. Meilland .
But after the war, Francis Meilland receives an unexpected news from Robert PYLE: the rose number 3-35-40 was named “Peace” . Indeed, recognizing its exceptional qualities, the ARS the American Rose Society presented the rose to Pasadena in California. She is also baptized to echo the fall of Berlin in May 1945.
But even more, the Ars offers a pink “PEACE” to each delegate of the future UN conference at San Fransisco which takes place from April to May 1945. Each rose “PEACE” is then accompanied by this message from Dr. RC Allen, President of ARS: “This is the Rose” PEACE “which was christened at the exhibition of the” Pacific Rose Society “at Pasadena on the day of the fall of Berlin. We hope that “PEACE” will influence men for peace in the world. ”
In 1946, “Mrs. A. Meilland / PEACE” became the only AARS winner, the All American Rose Selection. It is also the 1 st variety awarded the Hall of Fame in 1976 ultimate award from the WFRS, the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Today “Mrs A. Meilland / PEACE” is known as “PEACE” in all Anglo-Saxon countries, under the names “Goiai” in Italy and “Gloria Dei” in GERMANY.
It is estimated that more than 100 million roses have been planted to date worldwide. The legacy of “PEACE” goes beyond its history and continues today with its 382 descendants since the 1950s!
