Different Viewpoints on Ferdinand Pichard

I originally planted 'Ferdinand Pichard' three years ago.  I was inspired by Will Tillotson, who described it as one of his favorite old-fashioned roses in his 1956 catalog, saying it "Gives the 'mad Gallicas' pretty strong competition for top honors among striped roses.  Beautiful big plants with pleasing lettuce-green foliage--produce abundantly and throughout the season, fragrant, crisp-looking double blooms striped bright red on pale pink."  

Wing-Commander Norman Young concurs in The Complete Rosarian, saying it "ranks with the gallica, Rosa Mundi, for a startling effect."

In The Old Shrub Roses, Graham Stuart Thomas lists 'Ferdinand Pichard' in the bourbon section of the "Further Gleanings" chapter added in 1960:  "Tanne, 1921.  I have been unable to ascertain whether this was raised from seed or occurred as a sport.  It is obviously closely related to 'Commandant Beaurepaire', but is of more compact growth, with similar light green through more pointed leaves.  The flowers on freshly opening are clear crimson; on the next day the pink turns to blush and the crimson to purple.  Cupped and fairly double.  The most important point is that it constantly produces flowers through the summer and autumn, after the first glorious flush is over."

Although it's most often described as a hybrid perpetual or a bourbon, G.A. Stevens called it a wichurana in Climbing Roses in 1933, and provides a more negative assessment,"Wichuraiana with reddish flowers oddly striped with white and violet.  Interesting to collectors of freaks."

Linum usitatissimum, a.k.a. flax.

Senecio stellata ‘Giovanna’s Select’ with Ranunculus cortusifolius in the background.

Purslane was one of my favorite weeds as a child.  Now I'm growing it as a vegetable!

Another view of 'Pam's Choice'.