Rose Ghislaine de Féligonde

'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is a charming and versatile Multiflora rambler introduced by Turbat in 1916, beloved for its sweet, musky fragrance and uniquely ever-changing flower colors. The small, double blooms emerge from bright orange buds, opening in soft apricot-yellow with a warm yellow base, then fading through peach, pink, and cream - especially in cooler weather. Remarkably healthy, repeat-flowering, and nearly prickless, this rose is easy to train as a graceful climber or shape into a large, upright shrub. It flowers in abundant clusters throughout summer with a good autumn flush, and the red hips add autumn interest. Ideal for covering walls, fences, or arches, 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' thrives in both sun and partial shade, bringing romantic movement and soft color transitions to any garden setting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

FLOWERING

This rose variety is remarkably repeat-flowering for a rambler. It blooms first in late spring (May or June in temperate zones) with a heavy flush, and then reblooms sporadically throughout summer into autumn. In fact, it is one of the few older rambling roses that repeat flowers throughout the summer. Typically, after the main spring flush, there is another strong bloom in late summer/early fall, and scattered clusters in between. This everblooming tendency is genetically rare in Multiflora ramblers, most of which flower only once on old wood. The repeat flowering of 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' likely comes from a hybrid background and makes it especially valuable for extended garden display. Deadheading the spent blooms can encourage quicker repeat cycles, but even without meticulous deadheading the plant will continue to send out new lateral flowering shoots through the season. In cooler climates with short seasons, it may have just two flushes, whereas in longer growing seasons it can flower almost continuously in waves. This trait led Pacific Horticulture to deem it “nearly perfect” among ramblers for modern gardens, since its repeat bloom compensates for the class’s typical short flowering period.

The flowers of 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' are small to medium in size, about 3 - 4 cm in diameter (roughly 1.5 inches) when fully open. They are double (semi-double to very double) with approximately 17 - 25 petals per bloom. The blooms form in large, airy clusters (inflorescences) of typically 10 - 30 flowers each, borne on lateral sprays. This prolific cluster-flowering is a signature of its multiflora heritage.

The bud stage is particularly striking: buds are slender, pointed ovoids of a bright orange or deep apricot hue. As the buds open, the petals unfurl in a soft apricot or buff-yellow tone with a golden yellow base, creating a two-tone effect. The blooms then age and fade through a range of colors: from apricot to creamy ivory white, often with a hint of pink in cool weather or towards autumn. In autumn the flowers tend to be more pink. This mutable pastel palette gives the plant a polychromatic display, with multiple color stages present simultaneously on one cluster - a key part of its charm. The blooms have a somewhat “disheveled” rosette form when fully open, with the petal arrangement loosely quartered or ruffled. Golden stamens may show in the center of semi-double blooms or on aging flowers, adding to the visual appeal.

After flowering, if not deadheaded, the plant produces small orange-red hips in autumn, which are decorative and attract birds.

Fragrance:

The rose 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' carries a moderate, sweet fragrance with a notable musk undertone. The soft and sweet musky aroma, characteristic of Multiflora, complements well its old-fashioned blooms. Garden observers have sometimes differed on the intensity: in very warm climates the scent can be light or “not discernible” at times, whereas in cooler, humid conditions the musk may be more pronounced. Thus, while not as strongly perfumed as some old roses or Hybrid Musks, 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' offers a pleasant fragrance that is noticeable up close, especially during still mornings or in partial shade.

PLANT

'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is a historic rambling rose cultivar bred in France during the early 20th century. It was introduced in 1916 by the Orléans rose breeder Eugène Turbat & Compagnie. In the classification of garden roses, it falls under the Hybrid Multiflora group (a Multiflora rambler) and is distinguished by a repeat-blooming habit uncommon for its class. This rose’s introduction coincided with an era of innovation in rambler breeding; it emerged less than a decade after Barbier’s famed Wichurana ramblers in France, bringing new color ranges and remontant qualities to climbing roses.

Rose variety 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is a vigorous yet medium-sized rambler, typically reaching about 250 - 350 cm in height (approximately 8 - 12 feet) and spreading 200 - 300 cm wide in cultivation. Under ideal conditions and with support, it can climb to 400 - 500 cm, although it is often described as a “short rambler” compared to giant climbers. Its growth habit is arching and flexible, with long canes that can be trained or left to fountain. Unlike many ramblers, its canes bear very few prickles (nearly smooth on the main stems). Young shoots are smooth and light green; flowering laterals may have some fine purple-tinted bristles near the blooms. This relative lack of prickles makes it easier to handle and train.

In terms of taxonomic history, the rose has occasionally been a source of debate on whether it is a Multiflora rambler or could be classed as a Hybrid Musk. The presence of R. multiflora in its parentage (and physical rambler traits) anchor it in the rambler category, yet its repeat blooming and musk fragrance led early mid-century rosarians to group it with the Hybrid Musks (which were fashionable shrub roses at that time). Modern consensus keeps it as a rambler (often explicitly a Hybrid Multiflora Rambler), while acknowledging its unique repeat flowering nature. Also it is a forgiving plant - it can handle less-than-ideal conditions (shade, lean soil, minimal feeding) and still perform admirably, making it suitable for beginners or challenging garden spots.

Foliage:

The foliage of 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is not only attractive but also notably healthy and disease-resistant. Leaves are medium-small, with a leathery texture and glossy finish, and they form a dense canopy on the plant. The foliage is deciduous, with pinnate leaves of a healthy, glossy mid-green color. Each leaf has 5 to 7 leaflets that are oval with serrated edges; the texture is slightly leathery and the surface shiny. Notably, the leaf stalks (petioles) sometimes have a few tiny prickles on the underside, a minor trait inherited from R. multiflora ancestry. The dense foliation gives a lush, ferny appearance.

Disease resistance:

Importantly, this rose has shown high resistance to common rose diseases such as black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. In a formal context, the Montreal Botanical Garden’s evaluations (1990s) recorded it among cultivars with near-zero disease incidence without spraying.Its ability to thrive even in partial shade (where fungal issues often worsen) further indicates robust disease tolerance. Gardeners in humid climates have reported minimal blackspot on this rose compared to others, especially if sited with decent air flow. The plant’s multiflora lineage likely contributes genetic disease resistance, a trait for which many multiflora hybrids are known. Overall, while no rose is completely immune to diseases, 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is widely regarded as an “easy-care” or low-spray rose, suitable for organic cultivation.

This rose also demonstrates enviable adaptability to various environmental stresses. It is reliably winter-hardy to at least USDA Zone 5 (−20 °C), and reports from cold-winter gardens (zone 5a) indicate it can survive with minimal cane die-back, especially on its own roots. In the UK’s RHS hardiness scale, it is rated H5, tolerating –15 °C with ease, and some sources extend its hardiness to zone 4 with protection. Simultaneously, it handles warm climates well: it is grown successfully up to USDA Zone 9 or 10, and is noted for tolerating heat and even some drought. The cultivar’s demonstrated shade tolerance is a rare asset among roses, and can still bloom when planted against north-facing walls or under light tree shade. Full sun generally yields the strongest flowering, but this rose will flower in part shade where many others fail. It also accepts poor soils better than most, this likely reflects the ruggedness inherited from R. multiflora rootstock lineage.

The cultivar was named in honor of Ghislaine de Féligonde, a French aristocrat’s daughter who, remarkably, was only a toddler at the time of naming. In 1916, Ghislaine Marguerite Marie de Féligonde was two years old, the daughter of Count Charles de Féligonde and his wife Odette de Martel. The rose’s naming is tied to a historical anecdote from World War I-era France. Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, a prominent landscape architect and the director of Paris’s public gardens, was a friend of the Féligonde family. As the story is recounted by Ghislaine’s descendants, Forestier selected the little girl to serve as the “godmother” of Turbat’s new rose during the 1916 Concours de Bagatelle rose competition. One family member recalls: “it was a friend of her parents, Mr. Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier… who, in 1916, chose the young Ghislaine (born on 14 October 1914) as the godmother of a rose.” Forestier himself, as the founder of the Bagatelle International Rose Trials in 1907, had the privilege to name promising new roses presented at the competition. In this case, he dedicated Turbat’s award-winning rambler to the child Ghislaine de Féligonde. This explains the unusual fact that a rose was named after a person who was neither an adult nor famous at the time - essentially a gesture of friendship and optimism amid wartime. Notably, Ghislaine’s father Count Charles de Féligonde was a severely wounded war veteran, which perhaps lent the tribute an added poignancy, symbolizing hope and continuity.

Over time, a “legend” formed around this naming, with some romanticized accounts suggesting heroic or mystical reasons. One myth apparently claimed that baby Ghislaine helped her injured father recover, inspiring the rose’s name – a story firmly denied by the family as “of course” not true. The real story, confirmed by the family and documented by the Roses Anciennes en France association, is simply that Forestier named the rose for Ghislaine out of affection and perhaps to bring good cheer in dark times. The rose and the person remained linked throughout Ghislaine’s life: she lived until 1994, becoming Countess de Morville by marriage, and reportedly cherished the rose that bore her name. Her family estate at Château de Féligonde in Auvergne and later at Chantemesle grew many of these roses - including a specimen climbing a north tower and cuttings planted at the family vault where she was laid to rest. This personal connection underscores the heritage value of the cultivar.

'Ghislaine de Féligonde' quickly earned recognition for its excellence. It received a Certificate of Merit at the International Rose Competition of Bagatelle (Paris) in 1916, the year of its debut. Judges praised this rose as “variété très vigoureuse, franchement remontante, floraison en bouquets” (“a very vigorous variety, truly remontant, blooming in clusters”).

Decades later, it has remained significant in rosedom. The Royal Horticultural Society granted it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) (confirmed in 2012) for its reliable garden performance. Heritage rose societies often cite 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' as an important survivor cultivar, one that combines Old Rose charm with modern traits. Notably, it was one of a handful of classic roses to “pass the test” of Longwood Gardens’ ten-year landscape trials for durability - underscoring its long-term disease resistance and vigor in minimally maintained settings.

Beyond its 1916 Bagatelle award and the RHS AGM, ‘Ghislaine de Féligonde’ has performed strongly in various rose trials. It was listed among the outstanding roses in the Montreal Botanical Garden’s disease-resistance survey (1998) with only 0–5% blackspot/mildew infection, and it has been frequently recommended in extension and public garden lists for low-maintenance roses. For instance, the Seattle-based Great Plant Picks program (aimed at sustainable garden choices) included it as a top rambler, emphasizing that “few thorns and a stiff growth habit make this a good choice for growing against a trellis or wall”, and that if it had a stronger fragrance “this might well be the perfect rose”. Such endorsements underscore the rose’s economic and horticultural relevance: it is often suggested as an eco-friendly alternative to disease-prone modern climbers, suitable for organic cultivation.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is the product of a deliberate cross made by Eugène Turbat around 1914 - 1915 by crossing the rose variety ‘Goldfinch’ with the unnamed seedling. The seed parent, ‘Goldfinch’, was a rambler rose introduced in 1907 by George Paul (UK). ‘Goldfinch’ itself is a hybrid multiflora (sometimes classed as a Polyantha Rambler) with small soft yellow blooms that fade to white, and it blooms once in spring. Turbat likely selected ‘Goldfinch’ for its cold hardiness and prolific clusters, aiming to improve upon it. The pollen parent is not explicitly named; records call it just an unnamed seedling. We do not know the exact lineage of that seedling, but given Turbat’s work and the rose’s characteristics, it may have been a seedling from a cross involving a repeat-blooming rose (possibly a Hybrid Tea, Noisette, or Hybrid Musk). Some experts speculate that the seedling parent could have brought in remontancy and maybe a musk scent gene - features not present in ‘Goldfinch’ (which is non-remontant). A 2002 chromosomal study indirectly confirmed Ghislaine de Féligonde’s parentage by demonstrating it is triploid (3×), which is consistent with one parent being diploid and the other tetraploid (a common scenario: R. multiflora is diploid, while many modern roses are tetraploid). Indeed, Goldfinch is diploid; if Turbat’s seedling were tetraploid, their cross could yield a triploid like Ghislaine. This suggests Turbat’s unnamed seedling might have come from the then-new class of Hybrid Teas or Hybrid Musks (often tetraploid) crossed with a multiflora, blending remontancy into a hardy climber – a breeding strategy contemporary with the times.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is often distinguished from both its predecessors and successors by its unique combination of traits. Compared to older multiflora ramblers like ‘Dorothy Perkins’ (which has pink clusters and is once-blooming) or ‘Albéric Barbier’ (yellow-cream, but once-blooming and very thorny), 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' stands out as repeat-blooming and nearly smooth and without prickles. It shares some characteristics with the Hybrid Musk roses (e.g. clustered blooms, recurrent flowering, musk scent), and indeed contemporary references sometimes list it as a Hybrid Musk in style, despite its parentage placing it among multiflora ramblers.

It can thus be seen as a bridge between the Hybrid Musk shrubs of the 1910s (like 'Buff Beauty' or ‘Cornelia’) and the Wichurana ramblers of the same era - combining rebloom and fragrance with climbing ability. Gardeners occasionally compare it to 'Phyllis Bide' (Bide, 1923), another small rambler with apricot-pink fading flowers and repeat bloom. However, 'Phyllis Bide' tends to have smaller, more semi-double flowers and a lighter overall coloring (more pink tones), whereas Ghislaine de Féligonde’s blooms are fuller and often show richer apricot/yellow hues. Additionally, 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' is more shade-tolerant and has even fewer thorns than Phyllis Bide.

Another cultivar of note is ‘Goldfinch’ (Paul, 1907), which is actually the seed parent of 'Ghislaine de Féligonde'. ‘Goldfinch’ is a once-blooming rambler with pale canary-yellow to white flowers. 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' essentially improved upon ‘Goldfinch’ by introducing apricot tones and remontancy while maintaining vigor and cold-hardiness.

A sport (mutation) named 'Pink Ghislaine de Féligonde' was discovered by Fabien Ducher in 2007, yielding clear pink blooms on the same vigorous frame. This sport retains the parent’s reblooming and robust habit, and has been praised for its continuous flowering and flexibility (ideal for pergolas). Gardeners should be aware of the sport to avoid confusion - the original 'Ghislaine de Féligonde' has flowers that start with apricot, whereas the sport opens pink.

USDA 5