Early flowers are deep red-purple with a mauve bar and veining, later flowers are violet-red; all are gappy. Surprisingly, there is controversy over the colour of the stamens. Magnus Johnson says white, but illustrates the flower with a bloom that has red filaments. Ruth Gooch says red anthers on cream filaments (which agrees with a Feltwell photograph). Robin Savill says the anthers are cream.

Group:	Early large-flowered group
Approximate height:	3.0 - 4.0 metres
Flowering period(s):	May Jun Aug Sep
Aspect:	Any aspect
USDA zones:	4 5 6 7 8 9
Pruning:	Light prune (Group 2)
Raised by:	André Leroy
Country of origin:	France
Date raised:	c1885
Parentage:	Unknown
Other name(s):	None known
Further detail:  Flower diameter: 10-12(-20)cm Tepals: 6-8 Database entry: 129