Pope John Paul II Hybrid Tea Rose

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Description
Pristine white blooms and exceptional citrus fragrance make Pope John Paul II a remarkable white Hybrid Tea Rose.

Introduced by Jackson & Perkins in 2008, with large 5-inch blooms, approximately 50 petals, vigorous repeat flowering, and excellent disease resistance.

Pope John Paul II Hybrid Tea Rose combines pristine white flowers with exceptional citrus fragrance in an elegant rose that appeals to nearly every sense. Large 5-inch blooms open from pointed buds to reveal approximately 50 beautifully arranged pure white petals, carried on long stems above glossy dark green foliage. Vigorous repeat flowering and excellent disease resistance add dependable garden performance to its extraordinary fragrance and classic Hybrid Tea beauty.

Bred by renowned rose hybridizer Dr. Keith Zary and introduced by Jackson & Perkins in 2008, Pope John Paul II has become a signature white rose in our collection. The variety was also selected for planting in the Vatican Gardens in honor of Pope John Paul II. Whether grown as an elegant garden focal point or planted for cutting, it offers a memorable combination of luminous white flowers, powerful fragrance, and reliable performance.

Why You'll Love It

  • Large 5-inch blooms in luminous pure white
  • Approximately 50 petals create elegant, classic Hybrid Tea flowers
  • Exceptionally strong citrus fragrance with fresh lemon notes
  • Repeat flowering provides multiple flushes from late spring through late fall
  • Excellent disease resistance supports healthy, glossy dark green foliage
  • Long stems make the fragrant white flowers excellent for cutting
  • Introduced by Jackson & Perkins in 2008

Why This Rose Stands Out

White roses can be beautiful but understated. Pope John Paul II offers something more memorable by pairing luminous white Hybrid Tea flowers with remarkably powerful citrus fragrance. The contrast of pristine blooms against glossy dark green foliage creates an elegant garden presence, while the fresh lemon-scented perfume makes the flowers especially rewarding when planted near patios, walkways, and other places where their fragrance can be enjoyed.

Jackson & Perkins introduced Pope John Paul II in 2008 after it was bred by Dr. Keith Zary. Its combination of flower quality, fragrance, vigorous growth, repeat bloom, and disease resistance gives this rose substance beyond its beauty. Its selection for planting in the Vatican Gardens adds a meaningful connection to the pontiff whose name it carries.

Plant Highlights

  • Rose Type: Hybrid Tea
  • Introduction: Introduced by Jackson & Perkins in 2008
  • Breeder: Dr. Keith Zary
  • Variety: 'JACsegra'
  • Bloom Color: Pure white
  • Bloom Size: Approximately 5 inches
  • Petal Count: Approximately 50 petals
  • Flower Form: Double, classic Hybrid Tea form
  • Fragrance Strength: Exceptionally strong
  • Fragrance Notes: Citrus with fresh lemon notes
  • Bloom Season: Late spring through late fall
  • Growth Habit: Upright
  • Mature Height: Approximately 4 to 5 feet
  • Mature Width: Approximately 3 to 4 feet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
  • Disease Resistance: Excellent
  • Best Garden Uses: Rose gardens, specimen plantings, mixed borders, cutting gardens, and focal landscape plantings

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pope John Paul II Hybrid Tea Rose special?
Pope John Paul II combines large, pure white Hybrid Tea flowers with exceptionally strong citrus fragrance, vigorous repeat flowering, and excellent disease resistance. It offers fragrance, flower quality, and dependable garden performance in one elegant white rose.

How fragrant is Pope John Paul II Rose?
Fragrance is one of this rose's defining qualities. The blooms have an exceptionally strong citrus fragrance with fresh lemon notes, making it an excellent choice for gardeners specifically seeking a highly fragrant white rose.

How large are Pope John Paul II Rose flowers?
The pure white blooms reach approximately 5 inches across and contain about 50 petals, creating large, substantial flowers with classic Hybrid Tea form.

Is Pope John Paul II Rose disease resistant?
Yes. Excellent disease resistance is one of the variety's important garden-performance qualities, complementing its vigorous growth and repeat flowering.

Is Pope John Paul II a good rose for cutting?
Yes. Large, elegantly formed flowers on long stems make Pope John Paul II an excellent rose for fresh arrangements, while its powerful citrus fragrance brings another dimension to indoor bouquets.

Was Pope John Paul II Rose planted at the Vatican?
Yes. Pope John Paul II Rose was selected for planting in the Vatican Gardens in honor of Pope John Paul II.

Care Tips

Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Water deeply while the rose becomes established and during dry periods. Remove spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming, and feed during the growing season to support healthy growth and abundant flowers. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood, maintain its upright shape, and encourage vigorous new growth.

Grow with Confidence

For more than 150 years, Jackson & Perkins has helped gardeners grow exceptional roses with confidence. Explore our expert resources for planting, care, pruning, seasonal maintenance, and more.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals that are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Details
Skip Product Specs
Genus Rosa
Variety 'JACsegra'
ppaf PP19107
Zone 5 - 9
Bloom Start to End Late Spring - Late Fall
Habit Upright
Height 4 ft - 5 ft
Width 3 ft - 4 ft
Bloom Size 5 in
Petal Count 50
Additional Characteristics Bloom First Year, Free Bloomer, Easy Care Plants, Repeat Bloomer, Pruning Recommended
Bloom Color White
Bud Shape Ovoid, Pointed
Flower Shape Double, High-centered, Reflexed
Foliage Color Dark Green, Glossy
Fragrance Strong, Citrus
Light Requirements Full Sun
Moisture Requirements Moist,  well-drained
Resistance Disease Resistant
Soil Tolerance Normal,  loamy
Uses Beds, Border, Cut Flowers, Landscapes
Restrictions *Due to state restrictions we cannot ship to the following:
Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Alaska

Product Review Summary
Based on 48 reviews
The average rating for this product is 5 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0
Customer Reviews
June 16, 2026
Never thrived
This shopper rated the product 1 out of 5 stars

My Pope John Paul II slowly died. IT never thrived. I kept hoping despite as all my other roses from Heirloom and David Austin were blooming. I reached out to Jackson & Perkins for advice but never heard back. Plant will go in garbage

L. From California from CA
June 06, 2026
John Paul Rose
This shopper rated the product 1 out of 5 stars

Received potted rose in mail. Most of the dirt was in the box and not in the pot. Very small plant. Very disappointed.

Teresa from MI
May 23, 2026
Waiting to Bloom
This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

Super excited. I’ve got buds and can’t wait for flowers. Just planted 2 mos ago. I got a stick with roots. Soaked for 24 hours. Talked to my stick and planted it. Can’t wait!

Sharon Birmingham from NC
December 26, 2025
Disappointed
This shopper rated the product 2 out of 5 stars

I purchased two of these gorgeous roses a couple years ago with the roses failing to live through the winter. I live in Michigan, zone 6B, and live in town with the roses being protected so I was badly disappointed when the roses did not live through the winter. These are such pretty roses and have never had a rose that failed to live through the winter. I have been gardening for seventy years.

Lois from MI
September 30, 2025
Gorgeous rose…
This shopper rated the product 5 out of 5 stars

I’ve had this rose for5 years now in Fishers, IN, zone 6. It’s beautiful, disease resistant, extremely fragrant, long blooming. It always has blooms from mid May through most of October.

Paul Lightfoot from IN

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