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Is this obelisk really so ugly?

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  • RubyRossRubyRoss Posts: 124
    Nollie said:
    The aesthetics are entirely up to you, but it does look a tad narrow to wind a rose around, you may be better just letting it grow through it and tying on where necessary. Depends on the rose tho, which one is it? When you say it’s small, do you mean the flowers are small or it’s a small patio climber?

    It's Ghislaine de Feligonde. I got it after my daughter was born to have it flower for her birthday each year so I want to look after it. Do you think this obelisk is too small?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    All the websites say 3m tall which is fine if you can wind it round your obelisk.

    However, I've seen one here, planted in rich soil with run off from a compost heap, escaping over the shed it was planted against and off along the hedge but you can always keep it contained by pruning back a bit every time you dead head. 




    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,500
    RubyRoss said:

    It's Ghislaine de Feligonde. I got it after my daughter was born to have it flower for her birthday each year so I want to look after it. Do you think this obelisk is too small?
    Worst case scenario - you could always replace the obelisk for a taller one at a later date if the plant is getting too big for it.
  • Maybe another rusted item, be it another obelisk or something else, might make more of a statement ie we are meant to be here and yes we're loud and proud.
    Southampton 
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I'm sorry, your obelisk is way too small for Ghislaine de Feligonde.. in fact I wouldn't even attempt it on an obelisk double that size..  within 3 years it will demolish it, eat it up and spit it out.. less than that even.. 
    You will have your work cut out continually trying to dwarf it to suit.. I simply cannot imagine doing that with this rose.. even though it's a personal favourite and one of the best repeat flowering rambler types out there, it needs careful placing..  which is on a high fence, or wall with a wide spread..  it can be grown freestanding, or on a large support structure, but with some expertise in management..

    As for the obelisk, I would also put a second one in to match, that way it looks co-ordinated and makes  a statement that you are happy with what you have.. but you should consider more suitable choices of roses..

    I can show you some photos of how this rose grows,  but I'm afraid they will frighten you.. Do you want to see them?.. 


    East Anglia, England
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    Good point from @Marlorena about the suitability of the rose for the obelisk.  But as for the obelisk itself - I think it's lovely.  Perhaps grow a clematis up it?  I'm a big fan of rusted steel - all of my plant supports are in rusted steel and I have three lovely poppy head rusted steel ornaments which I have placed next to actual poppies.  
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    That’s why I asked the question, I thought it looked like Ghislaine de Feligonde. I’m afraid I agree with @Marlorena on that, I have a young one and a tall weeping standard at that, but have seen her mature climbing giant! A patio climbing rose or a smaller clematis would suit better, perhaps?
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • RubyRossRubyRoss Posts: 124
    Marlorena said:
    I'm sorry, your obelisk is way too small for Ghislaine de Feligonde.. in fact I wouldn't even attempt it on an obelisk double that size..
    That's disappointing to read. I bought G. de F. as a non-vigorous medium sized rose and was told by the nursery that it would fit in the space, which is 1 meter wide. I also looked up descriptins and examples of how people were using it. See pics.

    I have no issue buying a larger obelisk or structure (current obelisk is 1.7 meters) to put in on (my husband would probably welcome that!)


  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    If the rose is more important than the obelisk to you, perhaps you could put a trellis on your wall and train the rose towards it.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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