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'The Pilgrim' offers the soft texture of pale yellow on flat, quartered blooms. Re-bloom is good, with two to three strong flushes of bloom during the growing season. Flowers are produced in sprays of three to seven, and 'The Pilgrim' has an unusual habit in that flower stems may emerge from the main stem (in addition to the normal leaf joints). Growth habit is strong and healthy. Blackspot may make an appearance from time to time, but 'The Pilgrim' shrugs it off without missing a beat. I have never coddled 'The Pilgrim' with sprays, and it marches merrily on. Foliage is shiny and holly green. Habit is upright for the first four to six feet, but as canes lengthen they begin to arch over into the classic old rose vase shape. Let's discuss a weakness which really isn't a weakness: 'The Pilgrim's' large size in warm climates. Some of the David Austin English roses have received criticism for rampant growth. Many of the David Austin roses are new to the United States; due to import quarantine restrictions, these new roses may not reach the U.S. until two years after their introduction in the United Kingdom. Gardeners planting 'The Pilgrim' and other David Austin roses (Graham Thomas in particular) have been shocked when their roses have soared to heights as much as double the sizes reached in the cooler U.K. climate. In general, it is wise to consult U.S. sources (if you are in the U.S.) to learn the ultimate size of the mature plant. To be fair, gardeners in the U.S. should remember that not only are we planting new varieties, but also a new class of roses. Finally, pruning 'The Pilgrim' after each bloom cycle will keep the plant manageable and spur further bloom. 'The Pilgrim' is one of the finest of the ground-breaking David Austin English Roses. |
