Rosa Goldfinch - Rambling rose

Rambling rose 'Goldfinch' bears captivating, large clusters of primrose-yellow flowers that quickly fade to creamy white. They bloom profusely in early summer against a very healthy, glossy foliage. With almost thornless stems, this old rose can adorn a pergola, a large arch, a sunny wall, or weave through a small tree. It can also be trained as a large bush in an English or romantic garden.

Rambling rose 'Goldfinch' belongs to the Rosaceae family and descends from Rosa multiflora; it is sometimes found under the horticultural name 'Goldfinch rambler'. It is a cultivar created in the United Kingdom by George Paul (son) and introduced in 1907, resulting from the cross-breeding of 'Hélène' (a R. multiflora hybrid obtained by Lambert in the late 19th century) with an unnamed seedling. The species, Rosa multiflora, is native to East Asia (Japan, Korea, China) where it colonises hedgerows, woodland edges, and hillsides; its species name, multiflora, means "many-flowered", alluding to the large floral clusters it passes on to its offspring.
Rosa 'Goldfinch' distinguishes itself by its creamy yellow colouring and its almost thornless stems. The plant has rapid growth, developing long, light green canes, turning greenish-brown with age, with a few short thorns. Its deciduous, glossy, medium to dark green foliage is formed of small, slightly crinkled leaflets. It reaches up to 3.50-4 m in height with good support, for a spread of 1.20 m to 2 m, depending on how it is trained. This rose renews its framework with vigorous basal shoots, but does not produce running suckers.
The flowering, which is not repeat, occurs from June to July in very large clusters of small, flat, semi-double corollas, 3 to 4 cm in diameter, with 9 to 16 petals. They are a soft yellow upon opening, quickly paling to cream or milky white, while the centre reveals clearly visible yellow stamens. The fruity fragrance is more or less perceptible depending on exposure and soil moisture. Small decorative hips may appear in late summer-autumn. This variety is hardy down to -15 °C.

Rambling rose 'Goldfinch', emblematic of Edwardian gardens, quickly travelled beyond the United Kingdom. Its cultivar name "Goldfinch" echoes the yellow of the flower buds and freshly opened corollas.
To showcase it, plant it where its long stems can be fanned out on a support: on a pergola, a double arch, or an east or southeast-facing façade. Its creamy yellow colouring pairs well with summer blooms in plum or purple tones. Let it climb with a clematis that flowers in July-August, for example Clematis viticella ‘Étoile Violette’ or ‘Madame Julia Correvon’. Nearby, plant a fragrant honeysuckle like Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ which perfumes the air at dusk. At ground level, plant hardy geranium ‘Rozanne’ or a lesser periwinkle 'Flower Power'. In a small tree (rowan, serviceberry), let it weave in a spiralled fashion; guide 5 to 7 main framework stems at a slight incline.