Pope John Paul II™ Rose on Fortuniana Rootstock

Pure, elegant, and extraordinarily fragrant, Pope John Paul II™ on Fortuniana rootstock combines one of the most celebrated modern white Hybrid Tea roses with the exceptional vigor of Fortuniana. Renowned for its large, luminous white blooms, classic exhibition form, and intensely powerful fragrance, this distinguished variety is an outstanding choice for Southern rose gardens, cutting gardens, fragrance gardens, and formal landscapes.

Bred by Dr. Keith Zary, Pope John Paul II™ produces beautifully formed buds that open into large, high-centered Hybrid Tea flowers. The blooms are a remarkably clean pure white to creamy white, creating a striking contrast against the plant's rich green foliage.

Fragrance is one of the defining characteristics of this exceptional rose. Its flowers release an intensely strong, sweet perfume with rich citrus and classic rose notes. Plant it near patios, entrances, walkways, or outdoor living areas where its remarkable fragrance can be appreciated frequently.

The flowers are carried on long stems, making Pope John Paul II™ particularly desirable for cutting and fresh arrangements. Grafting the variety onto Fortuniana rootstock adds exceptional root vigor and makes this offering especially attractive for gardeners in warm Southern climates.

Key Features

Growing Information

Plants grafted onto Fortuniana can develop more vigorously than standard published dimensions for the variety, particularly in warm climates with long growing seasons.

Ideal Uses

✔ Fragrance Gardens
✔ Cutting Gardens
✔ Dedicated Rose Gardens
✔ Southern Gardens
✔ Formal Gardens
✔ Memorial Gardens
✔ Mixed Borders
✔ Landscape Focal Points
✔ Fresh Floral Arrangements

Recommended Growing Regions

Pope John Paul II™ on Fortuniana is particularly well suited to warmer rose-growing regions where Fortuniana rootstock can thrive, including:

• Southeast

• Deep South

• Gulf Coast

• Florida

• Coastal Georgia & the Carolinas

• Texas

• Southwest

• Southern California

• Other mild-winter climates

An Exceptional Fragrance Rose

Few characteristics of Pope John Paul II™ are as memorable as its fragrance.

Its large white blooms release an intensely sweet perfume combining citrus and classic rose notes, making it an outstanding selection for gardeners who consider fragrance every bit as important as appearance.

The combination of pure white flowers and powerful perfume makes this variety particularly effective near frequently enjoyed areas of the landscape, where even a few open blooms can make their presence known.

A Beautiful Rose for Cutting

Pope John Paul II™ possesses many of the characteristics gardeners look for in a cutting rose: large blooms, long stems, classic Hybrid Tea form, beautiful coloring, and exceptional fragrance.

The pristine white flowers are breathtaking on their own but also combine beautifully with blush pink, lavender, apricot, deep red, and soft yellow roses.

Its elegant coloring makes Pope John Paul II™ especially appropriate for wedding arrangements, formal bouquets, memorial gardens, and sophisticated floral designs.

Why Choose Fortuniana Rootstock?

Fortuniana rootstock is particularly prized by rose growers throughout the South and other warm climates for its vigorous root system and ability to perform exceptionally well under hot growing conditions.

Potential advantages include:

• Larger, more vigorous plants

• Extensive root development

• Faster establishment under favorable conditions

• Increased flowering potential

• Excellent heat and humidity performance

• Improved tolerance of sandy soils

• Greater drought resilience once well established

• Potential for exceptionally large, long-lived rose plants

This makes the combination of Pope John Paul II™ and Fortuniana particularly exciting for Southern gardeners: the exceptional flower form and fragrance of the Hybrid Tea above ground paired with the vigor of Fortuniana below.

Because this rose is grafted, any shoots originating from below the graft union should be removed to prevent the Fortuniana rootstock from competing with Pope John Paul II™.

Behind the Name

Pope John Paul II™ was named in honor of Pope John Paul II. Its pristine white coloring, refined form, and extraordinary fragrance have helped make it one of the most recognizable modern white Hybrid Tea roses.

Why You'll Love Pope John Paul II™ on Fortuniana

• Spectacular pure white to creamy-white flowers

• Large blooms with classic high-centered Hybrid Tea form

• Exceptionally strong citrus and rose fragrance

• Long stems make it outstanding for cutting

• Repeat flowering provides successive flushes throughout the season

• Beautiful foliage creates an elegant backdrop for the white blooms

• Fortuniana rootstock provides exceptional vigor in suitable warm climates

• Particularly well suited to Southern rose gardens

• Excellent for cutting, fragrance, formal, and memorial gardens

• A magnificent combination of sophisticated beauty and vigorous garden performance

Experience one of the great white Hybrid Tea roses with the added advantage of Fortuniana rootstock. With its luminous white flowers, extraordinary fragrance, elegant cutting stems, repeat blooming, and vigorous root system, Pope John Paul II™ on Fortuniana is an exceptional addition to Southern rose gardens and landscapes.