This year we are celebrating 90 years of collaboration between Meilland and its American partner Star Roses & Plants. The ceremony took place last May in the rose garden of Chateau Colbert in Le Cannet-Des-Maures (83).
This unique relationship began in 1935, during Francis Meilland’s first trip to the United States, determined to give the family business an international dimension. He was welcomed by Robert Pyle, then head of the Conard Pyle Company, which would later adopt the Star Roses and Plants trademark. During this trip, and then a second one, Francis strengthened the ties between the two companies and registered his first plant patents in the US. It was from this friendship that the famous PEACE® rose was born in 1945, presented to United Nation delegates as a symbol of peace.
Today, thanks to joint research programs and plant variety protection, this cooperation has resulted in the creation of many iconic varieties (Drift®, Sunblaze®, Meidiland®, etc.) and actively supports AARS and ARTS trials.
