Salet has the charm of a classic garden rose: full pink flowers, a sweet fragrance, and distinctive buds. The flowers open into a cup shape, often revealing a rosette around a small button eye. Their bright pink color softens as they fade, especially along the outer petals.

This historic moss rose was introduced in 1854 by French breeder François Lacharme. It is named after Melchior Salet, a landscape architect from Lyon. This makes it predate the Belle Époque and a lovely addition to a collection of nineteenth-century garden roses.

Its special value lies in the combination of lightly mossed buds and good repeat flowering. Many old moss roses bloom once per summer, while Salet produces new flushes of flowers after its first bloom. The fine, moss-like glandular hairs on the buds also make it interesting before the flowers open.

Salet forms a sturdy, upright shrub. It looks beautiful among other shrubs, as a standalone focal point, or in a romantic border. Give it a spot where you can admire the flowers and distinctive buds up close.

Plant it in fertile, well-drained soil, preferably in full sun. It tolerates light partial shade. Remove spent flowers and water at the base during dry periods to encourage the next flush of blooms.