I thought I’d post a summary of my experience with this variety. Bought direct from Meilland in a pot and planted in a well exposed SE part of the gardens near a warm dry stone wall. So far, so good. Gets an ample amount of sunlight and some dried sheep manure now and again. It grew a little, up to 3ft, then produced two beautiful peony-looking frilly-edged flowers. Then the leaves started to show signs of marsonia and defoliated. This second year I lightly pruned in the spring as there was no more growth and expected the plant to react positively. Alas, no. The new foliage has turned almost black, and the stems haven’t grown. In April I planted a cutting of Ghislaine de Féligonde 3ft to the side of this one and it is, after two months, already taller. There are many different varieties growing very well here, both modern and old, the majority thrive, but this variety, along with 5 of the 7 Meilland varieties planted here, just won’t grow. Today it was shovel pruned, and the other 4 Meilland’s will also be taken out this week.