'Ghislaine de Feligonde' Multiflora hybrid
bought this rose mail-order in the spring
of 1998 from Antique Rose Emporium in large part from the wonderful description
and photograph in their catalog. And in part to what I picked up on the
rec.garden.roses Usegroup. Several gardeners reported different colors and hues
of this rose during the same season. Not unusual, but apparently this rose
tended to quite surprising colors changes. Well, I like surprises and my
curiosity got the best of me. Additionally, I had not grown any r. multiflora
hybrids, and 'Ghislaine de Feligonde' was reported to have some rebloom. My
plant grew into a very healthy arching shrub about four feet tall that first
season. This year, 1999, it has grown to about six feet tall and wide, and has
put on a wonderful display of bloom starting in late May and lasting for about
six weeks. It did bloom sporadically throughout the summer and into the early
fall. And, indeed, the color did change from the apricot shades in spring to a
pink tinged, pale cream shade. These photographs quite accurately reveal the
color change from May to September. Not a hint of blackspot was seen all season
on any of the dark green leaves, even though this rose gets less than six hours
of filtered sunlight a day. It even produced
small, round, orange-red
hips where I did not deadhead. I have a feeling this rose is going to grow
on me.
"An impossible name which has hindered the acceptance of this very good rose. It produces clusters of bright yellow, smallish blooms which fade white in the sun. It makes a stiff plant to 10 feet, and repeats somewhat. Unlike most Multifloras, blooms are quite fragrant. If pruned to make a big bush rather than a climber, it makes a spectacular show in the spring."
Thomson, Old Roses For Modern Gardens, 1959
"Rambler. Bright-yellow buds open to 1-inch cream-colored flowers in clusters of 10 to 20. Profuse bloom in June; sometimes later flowers, too, on new shoots formed throughout the summer. A restrained grower to 8 to 10 feet; not dependably hardy, but one of the prettiest of the Ramblers."
Van Pelt Wilson, Climbing Roses, 1955.
"GHISLAINE DE FELIGONDE (Turbat, 1916)--The pale yellow blossoms are tinted flesh and produced in cluster of 10 to 20. The tendency to repeat flowering in the autumn, habit of growth, and lack of hardiness suggest a connection with R. chinensis."
Shepherd, History of the Rose, 1954
"Ghislaine de Féligonde--A hardy climbing rose originated in 1916 by E. Turbat. Received a certificate of merit at Bagatelle, where it had been entered under a number, but the award could not be final until the variety was named. At the moment the story was related of a young officer, the Count de Féligonde, who had been seriously wounded in battle and left between the lines in no man's land, where nobody could venture to fetch him. His wife, Ghislaine, hearing it, started at night, found him, dragged him to safety and nursed him back to health. Mr. Turbat, hearing the story of the heroic woman, decided right then to name his new rose "Ghislaine de Féligonde." Twelve years later, in 1928, it was my privilege to meet the Count and Countess de Féligonde at a dinner at the home of Mr. J. C. N. Forestier in Paris."
Nicholas, The Rose Manual, 1933.
Spring 2000 photographs revealing the variety of color that can be displayed as the blooms mature, and as a function of the season. The buds are primarily egg-yolk yellow in early stage. They open creamy-yellow in the spring, and fade to pink and then white. In the fall, blooms can open pink.
"Also be comforted by the fact that climbers properly set out in places open to sun and air, if kept adequately watered, are not prone to serious infestations. Plenty of birds are also good insurance against insect damage. Birds and Climbing Roses are an aesthetic combination anyway, and a lovely one I wouldn't be without!"
Helen Van Pelt Wilson,1955
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