Swap Traditional Rose Bushes For A Vintage Variety In Your Flower Garden

For anyone embracing the charm of cottagecore garden style, rose bushes are a must — but the variety you choose plays a key role in setting the tone. While hybrid tea and floribunda are two heavenly-smelling rose varieties that remain popular picks, those craving a softer, more vintage aesthetic may want to consider the romantic appeal of the noisette rose (Rosa × noisettiana).

The origins of the noisette rose trace back to early 19th-century South Carolina, where amateur horticulturist John Champney made floral history. By crossbreeding the Chinese rose (Rosa chinensis) 'Parsons' Pink' with the fragrant musk rose (Rosa moschata), he created 'Champneys' Pink Cluster,' the very first noisette rose. The variety soon made its way to French gardener Philippe Noisette, who further cultivated and crossbred it, ultimately giving rise to the entire collection of climbing roses aptly known as noisettes.

Today, these graceful blooms are beloved for their vintage charm, delicate clusters, and soft color palette, ranging from blush pinks and buttery creams to pastel yellows, making them a dreamy addition to any romantic garden setting.

Since noisette roses bloom continuously from spring through fall and can climb to impressive heights of 8 to 12 feet, it's worth planning how to best incorporate them into your cottage garden design. For a harmonious, vintage-inspired look, consider pairing them with classic heirloom perennials, like lavender (Lavendula spp.), foxgloves (Digitalis spp.), and larkspurs (Delphinium spp.) — plants of varying heights and sizes that echo the pastel color palette and romantic feel noisettes naturally bring to the landscape.

As a naturally vigorous and easy-care climbing rose, the noisette is perfect for training along fences, archways, and even over entryways, where it can create a graceful, blooming welcome. Thanks to its tolerance for warmer climates, it thrives in USDA zones 6 through 9, and its impressive resistance to common rose diseases makes it a lower-maintenance option compared to many modern hybrids.

With their soft pastel tones and subtle musky fragrance, noisette roses offer an easy way to bring timeless elegance and old-world charm into your garden design.