Rosa multiflora Pink Ghislaine de Féligonde - Climbing Rose

The 'Pink Ghislaine de Féligonde®' rose bush possesses all the qualities of the famous 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' but its small pompon flowers display a beautiful range of dragee pink to ivory. This large, vigorous bush or climber is one of the best for semi-shaded, or even almost shaded, exposures. Comfortable in most regions, highly disease resistant, easy to grow, infinitely graceful, it will find its place in all gardens. Moderately perpetual, this slightly thorny rose covered in lightly scented bouquets in early summer reveals its natural, slightly bohemian habit when grown as a solitary bush, unrestricted.

This large, deciduous rose is a recent creation by the descendants of the famous Lyon rose breeder Pernet-Ducher. It is a pink variant of the old climbing rose 'Ghislaine de Féligonde', obtained by Turbat in 1916. This exceptional hybrid belongs to the Rosa (x) multiflora and Rosa (x) wichuraiana families. Vigorous, it naturally has a wide and flexible habit, amiably disordered. It will reach a height of 2.50m (8 in 2 ft) to 3m (9 in 10 ft) with a spread of 1 to 2m (3 in 4 ft - 6 in 7 ft), depending on the growing conditions. Its long stems are flexible, slightly thorny, and covered with small glossy foliage that maintains its fresh and vibrant green color throughout the season. Its disease resistance is very good, but it seems to be somewhat sensitive to marsonia if trained against a wall that is too sunny. The flowers of this climber form in abundance in June, and sporadically again during the summer and early autumn, provided that the soil remains moist. In hot climates, the flowering starts a bit earlier, pauses in July-August, and then resumes in September, thanks to the return of rain. Gathered in bouquets of 10 to 20, they emerge from short shoots of the second year as small pointed buds of bright pink. They open up into small double rosettes, 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, formed by 20 to 39 small petals of dragee pink, quickly turning creamy and then ivory in warm weather. In autumn, they are more tinged with pink. They are all different, creating a beautiful multicolored effect on the plant. Their fragrance, quite light, is musky. The small fruits that delight birds in the winter are actually fleshy false fruits called hips. The only flaw that can be found in this rose lies in the slightly neglected appearance of its faded flowers, which take a while to fall naturally.

'Pink Ghislaine de Feligonde' is a vigorous yet graceful rose, flourishing and nonchalant, endowed with the strength of tenderness. Like other large roses, such as 'Sourire d'Orchidée' or 'Seven Sisters' with which it pairs so well, it is incomparable for giving a touch of abandonment planted above overly strict flowerbeds. It is an ideal companion for an old fruit tree, a small pillar, and charming sheds. Trained on an arch, near the terrace, it will create a poetic and gently scented passage. It can be paired with a clematis with large pink, blue, or pure white flowers, their autumn blooms blending perfectly. As it is easy to maintain a bushy habit, which is absolutely superb, it can be planted as a solitary specimen or in a mixed hedge, in the company of viburnums, mock oranges, or lilacs. Finally, it adapts well to cultivation in a large pot.

Created by Ducher and David, 2007.