The Peggy Martin rose, often called the “Katrina Rose,” is a vigorous climbing rose famed for its resilience. This woody vine gained notoriety after surviving two weeks submerged in saltwater following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It produces abundant clusters of deep pink, slightly fragrant blooms, typically in a massive flush in spring, with a lesser rebloom in the fall. Gardeners value the rose for its semi-thornless canes, exceptional disease resistance, and low-maintenance nature. This climber can easily reach a spread of 6 to 15 feet or more, creating a stunning vertical display.
Site Selection and Initial Planting
To ensure the Peggy Martin rose thrives, select a location that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily for maximizing bloom production. While it can tolerate some afternoon shade in the hottest climates, the plant performs best in full sun exposure. Well-drained soil is paramount, as roses generally suffer in consistently wet conditions, even though this variety is famously flood-tolerant.
The ideal soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH range between 5.5 and 6.5. If the native soil is heavy clay or very sandy, amend it generously with organic matter such as compost or aged manure to improve both drainage and nutrient retention. When planting, dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union, if present, sits just above the soil line.
After placing the plant, backfill the hole and tamp the soil gently to remove air pockets, then water the area deeply. Since this is a climbing variety, a sturdy support structure like a trellis, arbor, or fence must be in place before planting. The canes of the young rose should be loosely tied to the support immediately to begin directing its growth upward and outward. This initial step prevents damage and sets the structure for future training.
Essential Care for Establishment and Training
The first year after planting is focused on establishing a strong root system, which requires consistent moisture. Water the rose deeply whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry, allowing the water to penetrate the entire root zone, then let the soil dry out slightly before watering again. Applying a three-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant helps to regulate soil temperature and conserves moisture.
Begin a light fertilization schedule in the first spring and fall with a complete fertilizer formulated for roses. Some gardeners prefer a product with a slightly higher phosphorus content to encourage strong root development and blooming. Avoid over-fertilizing in the first year, as the plant needs to direct its energy toward root establishment rather than excessive foliage growth.
Training the canes is the most important practice to maximize flowering potential, as roses bloom best from lateral shoots. Secure the main, flexible canes as horizontally as possible to the support structure using soft ties or specialized garden tape. Bending the primary canes to a 45-degree angle or flatter encourages the plant’s energy to distribute along the length of the cane. This results in a dense tapestry of blooms rather than flowers only at the top.
Ongoing Maintenance and Structural Pruning
Once the Peggy Martin rose is established, maintenance focuses on managing its vigorous growth and ensuring continued health. Structural pruning should occur in late winter or early spring, before the plant breaks dormancy and after the danger of severe frost has passed. During this time, remove any dead, diseased, or damaged canes to maintain plant health and good air circulation.
For mature specimens, structural pruning also serves as rejuvenation by selectively removing the oldest, woodiest canes from the base of the plant. Removing one to two unproductive canes each year encourages the rose to produce strong, new basal shoots. These new shoots should then be trained horizontally to replace the removed older wood.
Throughout the growing season, lighter maintenance pruning can be performed to shape the plant and keep its size in check. Deadheading spent blooms is not necessary for rebloom, but it improves the overall appearance and encourages a better second flush of flowers in the fall. The Peggy Martin rose is resistant to common rose pests and diseases, simplifying care and requiring only occasional monitoring.