Peach roses are roses that have a peach, orange, or apricot hue or coloring to them. They are often softer and more pastel than traditional red or pink roses. The peachy, orangey color sets them apart from typical rose varieties and gives them a unique, delicate beauty. But do peach roses actually exist? Let’s explore this question.
What Causes the Peach Coloring in Roses?
The peach, orange, or apricot coloring in roses is caused by the presence of carotenoid pigments in the petals. Carotenoids are the same pigments that give carrots, peaches, and other fruits and vegetables their orange and yellow colors. There are several carotenoids that can influence rose color:
- Beta-carotene – Creates yellow/orange hues
- Rubixanthin – Produces orange tones
- Lutein – Leads to pale yellow color
- Violaxanthin – Contributes to peach/apricot shades
The concentration and combination of these carotenoids determines the exact peach shade that develops in the rose’s petals. The pigments are naturally occurring in many rose species and varieties. Breeders can also selectively breed roses to maximize carotenoid content and create vibrant peach blooms.
Popular Peach Rose Varieties
There are a number of beautiful peach-colored rose varieties available:
Julia Child Rose
This gorgeous floribunda rose has blooms that are a unique butter yellow color with hints of peach. It has a lovely, sweet fragrance and dark green foliage. Julia Child roses bloom abundantly in flushes throughout the season.
Just Joey Rose
Just Joey is a hybrid tea rose cultivar that has large, ruffled blooms in a blend of apricot, peach, orange, and yellow hues. It has a mild tea rose fragrance. Just Joey thrives with plenty of sunlight.
Fragrant Cloud Rose
This is a hybrid tea rose with double blossoms that open to reveal saturated orange tones with hints of coral and peach. It has an intense, sweet perfume. Fragrant Cloud does best in USDA zones 5-10.
Brandy Rose
Brandy is a classically-shaped hybrid tea rose with flowers that blend shades of yellow, gold, orange, and pink. It has a strong damask fragrance and does well as a cut flower. Brandy roses bloom abundantly in cycles.
Peach Drift Rose
Part of the Drift rose series, this compact variety has prolific clusters of ruffled, peach-colored blooms. The blossoms fade to pale yellow as they mature. Peach Drift is self-cleaning, drought tolerant, and great for planting in containers and landscape borders.
How Peach Color Develops in Roses
Peach roses get their coloration from natural pigments produced through several physiological processes during flower development:
Carotenoid Biosynthesis
Carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein are synthesized by the rose plant through complex biochemical pathways during the early stages of flower bud formation. Enzymes and reactions produce the orange/yellow pigment molecules.
Carotenoid Accumulation
The carotenoids are integrated into the plastids of the developing rose petal cells, where they accumulate at high concentrations. This leads to the bright peach/orange shades.
Co-pigmentation
Other plant pigments like anthocyanins (which produce reds and pinks) can complex with the carotenoids and alter their hues. Co-pigmentation results in unique color combinations leading to deeper apricot tones.
Cell Structure
The shape, size, and density of the petal cells and internal structures like plastids also influence overall color by selectively absorbing and reflecting certain wavelengths of light. This gives each rose its distinctive color profile.
Environmental Factors
Growing conditions like sun exposure, temperature, and soil chemistry can impact the biosynthesis and accumulation of pigments in roses. More sun often results in more intense peach hues.
Are Peach Roses Natural or Genetically Engineered?
Peach-colored roses occur naturally in several rose species. Many old garden rose varieties from centuries ago also exhibit lovely peach tones. However, modern hybridizers use advanced breeding techniques to intentionally amplify peach hues and combine them with desired traits like disease resistance, better form, and floral fragrance. But the key pigments and resulting colors remain natural substances produced by the rose plants.
There are currently no genetically modified or engineered peach roses on the commercial market. While biotechnology and genetic editing methods could likely create custom rose colors, these high-tech approaches have not yet been applied to roses for sale to the public. So all available peach roses got their charming colors through traditional plant breeding and selection.
How to Grow Peach Roses
Peach roses thrive with the same general care as other roses. Here are some key growing tips:
Sun
Give peach roses at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is ideal. More sun exposure enhances the vibrant peach shades.
Soil
Plant in well-drained soil amended with compost or manure. Peach roses thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0.
Water
Peach roses require regular watering, about 1-2 inches per week. Increase watering during hot, dry periods.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced rose fertilizer or compost tea to nourish peach roses every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning
Prune peach roses in late winter. Remove dead, damaged, and crossed branches to improve form and flowering.
Protection
Watch for common rose pests like Japanese beetles and diseases like powdery mildew. Apply organic treatments promptly when issues are spotted.
Are Peach Roses Rare?
Peach roses are not rare, but they are also not as widely available as traditional red, pink, and white roses. Because peach is a trending rose color, more nurseries and breeders are offering lovely peach varieties each year. Julia Child, Just Joey, Fragrant Cloud, and Peach Drift are becoming common. Boutique rose growers are also introducing rare, exclusive peach roses.
Overall, peach roses have novelty appeal, but increased popularity is making them more readily available across the country. You may need to search a little harder or order online to find newly introduced peach rose varieties, but they are becoming less scarce each season. And you can always grow your own from bare root plants or cuttings.
What’s Special About Peach Roses?
Here are some of the unique qualities of peach roses that give them widespread appeal:
- Attractive peach color is less common than traditional rose hues
- Bright yet soft peachy tones are eye-catching in arrangements
- Distinct apricot, orange, coral, and yellow blends
- Vintage, heirloom appearance of certain varieties
- Intriguing colors complement other pastels like lavender
- Peachy hues match well with gray-greens like dusty miller
- Many have lovely fruity fragrances
- Softer, more delicate look than red or pink roses
- Blooms beautifully in bouquets, centerpieces, and borders
The gorgeous peach shades simply give these roses a uniqueness that captures attention in any garden.
Uses for Peach Roses
Like other roses, peach roses make beautiful:
- Cut flowers – peach roses shine in vase arrangements
- Garden plants – add focal impact to borders and beds
- Containers – can be grown potted on patios and porches
- Landscape hedges and screens – certain varieties work well clipped
- Wedding flowers – lovely in bridal bouquets and decor
- Home decor accents – bring nature indoors
- Potpourri – dry petals and buds for fragrant crafts
- Rose oil and water – extracted from fragrant flowers
- Sachets and potpourri
- Flavored foods and teas – some varieties have edible petals
Peach roses can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Their unique color is perfect for summer events and parties.
Interesting Facts About Peach Roses
- Peach roses were first introduced in the late 1700s.
- Heirloom varieties like Louise Odier and Old Blush have peach hues.
- Only a few rose species naturally exhibit peach colors.
- Orange carotenoid pigments are what give carrots their color too.
- Light and temperature affect peach rose color.
- Too much fertilizer can dilute the soft peach tones.
- New varieties are being bred each year.
- Peach roses complement blue and purple flowers well.
- Some people think peach roses smell like licorice or vanilla.
- A few roses start out peach then fade to pink or white.
The unique beauty of peach roses has captivated people for centuries and continues today!
Conclusion
In summary, peach roses certainly do exist! They get their charming apricot, orange, and peachy yellow colors from natural carotenoid pigments produced by the rose plants. Many lovely peach varieties are available today thanks to creative rose hybridizers. Peach roses offer a softer, more vintage look compared to bold red roses and make stunning bouquets and garden accents. With special growing care and conditions that maximize color, peach roses thrive and add a romantic, antique flair to any space they inhabit. Their beautiful blooms and sweet fragrances will be sure to delight rose lovers and newcomers alike.
