It is now three years since I wrote about Rosa Mundi, a stripy rose that I liked despite how I thought I felt about stripy roses. Several people on seeing that post suggested I tried a rose called Ferdinand Pichard. I am an obedient soul so I duly bought a Ferdinand to see what I thought.
I was not really seeking to compare the two roses, I just thought I would have two nice stripy ones in the garden. In year one Ferdinand though was a bit lazy. He did not produce many flowers and I was, quite frankly, disappointed. I thought to myself it was his first year in the garden so I should be kind and let him settle in.
Well, we are now in year three and he is not much better. He does produce roses and they are stripy but I am a bit underwhelmed. 
Ferdinand is not a patch on Rosa Mundi, there, I've said it, I've admitted the truth. Rosa Mundi flowers more, flowers longer and just has a nicer shape bloom. 
Of course this is hugely subjective as what I think is a nicer shaped bloom is another person's unpleasant one, but of course this does not matter a jot to me as it is my garden I am concerned with and what I have growing in it. 
Does this mean I am going to dig Ferdinand up? Well not in the near future that is for sure, it is not that dislikable. I do wish he would pull his socks up though!
