Ghislaine de Feligonde Rambling Roses

Ghislaine de Feligonde Rose

Ghislaine de Feligonde is a rambling rose, first introduced in the early 1900s that remains popular because of her ability to cover wall, the longevity of her flowers and - Allelujah! - the ability to do well on a north facing wall. Each rose looks like a sculpted dessert - whipped peaks of apricotty - or it could be peachy and creamy - petals with a garnish of golden stamens in the centre to complete the look. Being small and dear, there are lots of them with good, green leaves and, another joy, Ghislaine de Feligonde has almost thornless stems. That makes a difference when you are up a ladder pruning... Also, like the best of that generation, she rarely succumbs to illness. All in all, one of the best of our range of rambling roses.

The solution to a gardening conundrum

A rambling rose that is unfazed by a North facing wall and also thornless is a rare thing. Such a rose means you have killed several garden problems with one stone. Ghislaine de Feligonde can work well close to paths and doors because she won't scratch. She will grow up a north facing wall. The colouring works well with brick and stone and will even disguise the most ghastly woodstained shed. She teams up well with other apricot roses like Grace or Infinity but you could emphasise her unusual colouring with a neutral palette in front like the fizzing Champagne Moments. And being a rambler - with a more relaxed pruning regime - you could thread any number of other climbers like clematis or a scented honeysuckle through her stems.

Features of Ghislaine de Feligonde

• Height: up to about 2.4m
• Width: up to 2.4 m
• Colour: apricot, peach, pink, white
• Shape of flower: double
• Size of flower: small
• Scent: slight scent
• Flowering: repeat through summer
• Group: Rambler rose
• Thornless
• RHS AGM

A princess incognita

No one seems to know who Ghislaine de Feligonde was - so answers on a postcard to us if anyone discovers.....