Originating in Charleston SC and the only class of rose that originated in the United States, the Noisettes are the epitome of the 'southern rose'. The founding member of what would become known as the 'Noisette Roses', 'Champney's Pink Cluster' was introduced in 1802 by a South Carolina rice farmer by the name of John Champney. A cross between 'Old Blush' and rosa moschata, it was obviously quite different than anything that had been seen up to that point. In exchange for the 'Old Blush' plant, John Champney gave cuttings and/or seedlings of 'Champney's Pink Cluster' to his neighbor, Philippe Noisette, who came from a very distinguished French family with strong ties to the horticultural community.

Philippe Noisette sowed seeds from 'Champney's Pink Cluster' and 'Blush Noisette' was the result. He sent 'Blush Noisette' to his brother in France, who used this entirely new rose in the creation of the roses that would come to be known as Noisettes.

Early Noisette roses are generally shrubby small climbers, inheriting the growth habit and large trusses of scented flowers from the Musk rose and the pink coloring, larger flowers and continuous bloom from the China roses. Later crosses between Noisettes and Tea roses resulted in the class now known as the Tea-Noisettes, those large-flowered, tall growing, graceful yet tender garden beauties so prized by those that live in mild climates. Unfortunately, Noisette and Tea-Noisette roses are easily felled by frost, and can be reliable grown only in the warmer parts of the country. Some varieties, however, can be grown as far north as USDA Zone 6, if given a sheltered location and protection from frost.

I have been enjoying the Noisettes I am growing in my Western Washington Zone 8b garden, although these are roses that are far more at home in the Deep South.

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