Rosa Blush Noisette - Climbing Rose

The Old Rose Blush Noisette is an easy-to-grow, very healthy, robust, and low-thorn old rose variety, with reliably abundant flowering that continues until autumn. Whether grown as a bushy shrub or a small climbing rose, it is invariably delightful. Its small double roses exude a pleasant clove fragrance, particularly in mild and sunny weather. They bloom in clusters, emerging from pink buds and opening into cups that gradually lighten almost to white. Place 'Blush Noisette' in partial shade, where the delicate colour of its slightly fuzzy roses will be highlighted.

The history of the 'Blush Noisette' rose begins around 1810 in Charleston, South Carolina, the residence of Philippe Noisette, who would leave his name in rose history. He gave his neighbour, John Champney, a rose enthusiast and rice planter, the Old Blush rose that had been sent to him by his brother. John Champney then attempted to crossbreed this highly floriferous China rose with the musk rose, Rosa moschata, which is highly fragrant. He named this new rose Champney's Pink Cluster and gave seeds to his friend and neighbour, Philippe Noisette, as a thank you. Philippe sent the seeds to his brother Louis, who was in France, and he sowed them and obtained the first Noisette rose in 1817: 'Blush Noisette' was born. The famous Joseph Redouté included this innovative rose in his book on roses under the name Rosa noisettiana or 'rose of Philippe Noisette'.

Descendants of this rose are illustrious roses still planted in our gardens, such as Aimée Vibert (a hybrid of Rosa sempervirens), Madame Alfred Carrière, Jaune Desprez, Gloire de Dijon, and Rêve d'Or, which were obtained through crosses with Tea roses.

Although it takes a while to establish itself, 'Blush Noisette' proves to be vigorous and makes an excellent low-maintenance garden plant. If left to grow freely, it will reach approximately 1.80 m (6ft) in height and 1.50 m (5ft) in width. It can also be trained to climb on a vertical support, reaching heights of up to 3-4 m (10-13ft) depending on the climate. Its abundant deciduous foliage falls in autumn and reappears in spring. The leaves are composed of leaflets that are somewhat soft, with a light to greyish-green colour and purple veins, and are highly resistant to diseases. The long arching branches of this rose, which are reddish in colour and have few thorns, gracefully bend under the weight of the flowers.

Flowering occurs from May to October, almost continuously, except in regions where the summers are very dry. In mild climates and with moist soil, it can flower throughout the year. The semi-double to double flowers are 5 to 6 cm (2in) wide and are arranged in clusters on the current year's growth. They consist of 20 to 35 slightly ruffled petals, arranged in informal cups. The flower buds, which are more or less deep pink, open into tight pompoms before fully blooming into flat flowers with golden stamens at the centre. Their colour evolves from pale lilac pink to white-pink.

'Blush Noisette' is a heat and drought-resistant rose once established, hardy -15°C (5°F). Its flowers can be damaged by rain. Training it along a trellis or pillar will provide height and allow you to enjoy its flowers at eye and nose level. However, you can also choose to let it grow as a large spreading bush at the edge of a flower bed or plant it as a free-standing hedge. It can also be planted at the base of a tall rose (such as Paul's Himalayan Musk, Filipes Kiftsgate, or Treasure Trove) to elegantly cover its base. For example, you can pair it with a vigorous and easy-to-grow clematis like Clematis viticella Purpurea Plena Elegans or Prince Charles. This bush adapts well to shaded situations and prefers them over hot and very sunny exposures, especially in warm and sunny regions.

Bred by Noisette, around 1817.