The Peace Rose On April 29, 1945, the Peace rose was made available for sale in the US. French horticulturist Francis Meilland began developing the Peace rose in 1935, near Lyon, France. He picked the 50 most promising seedlings from his seedbeds and spent the next four years watching how the plants developed. Meilland was pleased with the roses he grew and shared them with friends and professional rose growers. However, as World War II broke out, Meilland feared the impending German invasion of France and sought to protect his beloved flower. He sent cuttings to friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany, and the United States. Reportedly, the cuttings sent to America were on the last plane to leave France before the Nazi’s arrival.