Meilland International SA

Meilland International SA is a family-owned rose growing business founded circa 1850. The business operates today out of the Domaine de Saint André in Le Cannet-des-Maures, Le Luc en Provence, Var, France with branches all over the world.

History

Main article: The Meilland Family

The Meilland Family is a multi-generational family of French rose breeders. The family's first rosarian was gardener, Joseph Rambaux, who first started breeding roses in 1850 in Lyon. He is best known for developing the Polyantha 'Perle d'Or'. His wife, Claudine and son-in-law, Francois Dubreuil, took over the family nursery after Rambaux died in 1878.[1] Debreuil became a successful rose breeder and grower. In 1900, Dubreuil hired sixteen year old, Antoine Meilland, as a gardening assistant, working alongside Dubreuil's daughter, Claudia. Antoine and Claudia married in 1909 and their son, Francis was born in 1912. The couple took over Dubareuil's nursery after his death in 1916.[2]

After World War I, Antoine and Claudia bought property in Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, near Lyon and started a new nursery. Their son, Francis, married Marie-Louise (Louisette) Paolino, daughter of an Italian rose breeder. Francis grew the nursery into a large, international company, and became the most famous and prolific rose breeder in the family. His legendary 'Peace' rose, brought the family international attention and great commercial success it was introduced after World War II. The Meilland family merged their business with Francisque Richardier in 1946, so that Francis Meilland could focus solely on breeding roses.[3][4]

After Francis's early death in 1958, Louisette continued to breed roses, introducing many awarding winning new varieties. The new company, Meilland-Richardier grew into Meilland International (AKA House of Meilland), and is located in Le Luc en Provence, France. Francis and Louisette's children, Alain and Michelle, were both successful rose breeders and took over management of the company when Louisette retired.[3][4] In 1978, Jacques Mouchotte was promoted to Director of Research of the company's rose breeding program. He developed a large number of new rose cultivars during his years at Meilland International. Some of his most popular rose varieties are 'Bonica 82', 'Debut', 'Carefree Wonder', 'Black Baccara' and 'Carefree Delight'. Meilland International continues to be 100% family owned and managed.[5][6]

House of Meilland

Meilland Richardier grew into a large international rose-growing business, the House of Meilland, also known as Meilland International. The company's headquarters are in Luc en Provence, France. The company is owned entirely by the Meilland and Richardier families. The House of Meilland has three divisions: Meilland International, which creates new rose varieties; Meilland Richardier, which grows and sells commercial roses worldwide; and Selection New Plant (SNP), which finds and acquires innovative varieties of ornamental plants.[7]

The company employs over 800 people worldwide and owns rose trial gardens and test stations in France, the U.S., and Germany. Meilland International sells over 12 million rose plants each year.[8] The company is managed by Alain Meilland and Michell Richardier Meilland, who are also rose breeders for Meilland International. The company's rose breeding program has been led by Jacques Mouchotte since 1978.[4]

Roses

cultivar group colour year award foto
'Alain' Floribunda red 1946 Most Beautiful French Rose
'Louis de Funès' Hybrid Tea yellow-red blend 1987 Geneva GM
'Madame A. Meilland' (Peace) Hybrid Tea yellow blend 1935 Rose Hall of Fame
'Pierre de Ronsard' Large-flowered climber pink blend 1985 Rose Hall of Fame
'Pink Wonder' Floribunda pink 1970 Belfast GM, Madrid GM
'Line Renaud' Hybrid Tea pink 2006 ADR
'Bonica 82' Floribunda pink 1981 Rose Hall of Fame
AGM 1993
'Papa Meilland' Hybrid Tea dark red 1963 Rose Hall of Fame
Gamble Fragrance Award 1974
'Pink Flamingo' Hybrid Tea pink-salmon blend 1963 Portland Rose Trials
Best Grandiflora Rose 2014

Notes

  1. ^ "Rambaux, Joseph". Help me find roses. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. ^ Stepankowskly, Andre. "Peace Rose Encapsulates Life, History". The Daily News. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "The MEILLAND RICHARDIER heritage, since 1867". Meilland Richardier Roses and Jardins. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Londeree, Nanette. "The Romantic Meilland Roses". American Rose Society. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Mouchotte, Jacques". Help me find roses. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  6. ^ Coffin, Jean-Francois. "Jacques Mouchotte". Jardins de France. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Meilland Roses and Creation". Meilland Roses. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  8. ^ Quest-Ritson & Quest-Ritson 2003, p. 257.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Roses by Meilland International SA.

Sources

  • Harkness, Jack (1985). The Maker of Heavenly Roses. ISBS. ISBN 978-0285626546.
  • Phillips, Roger (2003). Quest for the Rose: A Historical Guide to Roses. Random House. ISBN 978-0679435730.
  • Quest-Ritson, Brigid; Quest-Ritson, Charles (2003). Encyclopedia of Roses. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0756688684.