At Kerby’s Nursery, we love plants with a story, and few are as inspiring as the Peggy Martin Rose. Known as the “Hurricane Katrina Rose,” this beautiful climber is more than just a garden favorite throughout the south, it’s a symbol of resilience, strength, and renewal. And we finally have them here at Kerby’s!
The Peggy Martin Rose gained national attention after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. Amid the destruction, one rose bush was found thriving after being submerged in saltwater for days. This remarkable survivor was traced back to the garden of Peggy Martin’s family in Louisiana, and from that moment on it became a living reminder that beauty can endure even the harshest conditions.
Gardeners are drawn to this rose not only for its story but also for its performance. The Peggy Martin Rose produces clusters of soft pink, double blooms in the spring, creating a breathtaking display that can cover fences, trellises, and arbors. With its vigorous climbing habit, it can quickly grow 10–15 feet or more, making it an excellent choice for adding vertical interest to your landscape.
One of the best features of the Peggy Martin Rose is how easy it is to grow. It’s known for being low-maintenance and highly disease-resistant, which makes it perfect for both seasoned gardeners and beginners. It thrives in full sun, adapts well to a variety of soil types, and once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant, ideal for Florida’s changing weather conditions.
While it typically blooms once in the spring, the sheer abundance of flowers during that period makes it well worth the wait. After blooming, its lush green foliage continues to provide beauty throughout the growing season. And of course, it is extremely cold hardy, so a little winter like the one we had won’t phase it at all, it will just keep on blooming!
So snag your Peggy Martin Rose here and then come pick it up at the nursery Kerb-side and, of course, stick around to look at all the other beauties that will make your garden bloom like crazy this spring.
