Rambling Rose Ghislaine de Feligonde
Rambling Rose Ghislaine de Feligonde in our Fife garden
We grew the Rambling Rose Ghislaine de Feligonde in our Cheshire garden, but surprisingly its performing at its best right here in Fife.
If you don’t quite have the space for one of those very large climbing roses then this almost thornless musk rambler is worth considering.
Our North East facing back garden in December and January gets no sun whatsoever. Spring and Summer it gets its fair share keeping Ghislaine de Feligonde happy.
I am no expert with climbing Roses all that training of branches horizontally drives me nuts, mainly because I never seem to have adequate space.
This musk rambler fits the bill very nicely.
See how the blooms have just reached the trellis. Actually at one point the flowers on the r/h side were just less than 2 inches (ca. 5 cm) above the trellis. I tell you this because and I kid you not the neighbour who lives at the other side of the fence came to our door and complained that the petals may well fall on her washing!
Plant profile Rambling Rose Ghislaine de Feligonde
This musk rambler has a lot going for it. The stems are virtually thornless and its easy to keep under control.
The small/medium size fragrant double blooms open an orange/apricot shade and fade to creamy white. The best show is in June/July with good repeat flowering through till September.
Unlike most rambling roses Ghislaine de Feligonde is not over vigorous and is easy to train against a wall or fence. In fact, it can grow as a free-standing shrub.
Height
Grows to a height of around 8ft (2.44 m) and width of 6ft (1.83 m)
Pruning
Ghislaine de Feligonde is a rather unusual rambler. It grows very well but doesn’t have the thuggish nature of many ramblers, it repeats very well through the Summer and is almost thornless. Prune in early Autumn. In the first three years tidying up is all that is necessary, shaping and general titivating. When mature, cut older stems right back repositioning some younger ones horizontally bearing in mind you don’t have to be as fussy as you would be with climbers.
Introduction
Bred by Eugene Turbat and Compagnie in 1916. And named by the French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier after a friend’s daughter.
Position
For best results place in full sun
Hardiness
A little research indicates that this rambler is not fully hardy. However, there is no question mark over its hardiness here in the Uk. We have had it in Aberdeen, Cheshire and here in Fife, no problems whatsoever.
Flowers and Foliage
Clusters of smallish double, lightly fragrant blooms, at their very best in June/July, and repeating through until the Autumn. The flowers on first opening are a deep peach/apricot shade and gradually fade to creamy white. The dark green glossy leaves set off the flowers very nicely. Very good disease resistance.
Awards
The prestigious award of garden merit
Buy
July in our Fife Garden
Courtyard
The butterflies are loving the buddleja loch inch. This is its second year in a pot. Its not as strong as it was last year, I will repot it in early Spring.
Back garden
In spite of the rather cool Summer weather this year the garden hasn’t objected.
Absolutely Diana.
How SAD to resent rose petals! Hope the prunings went into a vase to be enjoyed by Myra.
I guess cool sounds good if you are suffering intense heat.
“Cool summer weather” sounds like a dream to me, and your plant seem to be enjoying it as much as I would! Your roses and flower borders are gorgeous, as always!
I would have more climbers Sunil but all space has been used up. Neighbour will be watching like a hawk for any protrusions that may affect her concrete jungle.
Wow, Alistair, your garden is looking so beautiful and the courtyard area is so inviting, I just can’t believe the neighbour with her washing! I’ve never heard of this rambling rose before and unfortunately, I’m not allowed any more climbing plants for the forseeable future!
Thanks for that information Lise.It is also hardy in Scotland. I saw a question mark over its hardiness in parts of the USA where it gets colder than minus 20c
I think Ghislaine de Feligonde is quite hardy, I grow it Denmark and its not on a grafted rootstock, it has gone through our tough winters, down to -20C and has come back every year with a fantastic show.
Thanks, Pam, meantime I will also restrict my comments.
Gorgeous, Alistair. I would love to spend time sitting in your courtyard! I had a comment to make about your neighbor, but changed my mind. Enjoy the rest of the summer in your beautiful garden! P. x
Your garden is so beautiful you really have a flair for planting things together and making it all work.do you place anything under your pots to prevent marking your patio.
Wow, your gardens are looking just beautiful, Alistair. You have done an amazing job!
Your garden is so beautiful. We have a scrappy knockout rose by the front door and I would love to replace it with the ghislaine de feligonde rose. It’s gorgeous. Not sure whether it would survive our winters in Southwest Missouri, USA. Thank you for sharing your lovely work.