I see in the description page for "Natchitoches Noisette" that the height is 3- 15', but other sources say 3- 5', and I suspect that 15' is a typo. I did see someone mention in the HMF Comments section that a Zone 8b Texas "NN" is 6', so perhaps 3-6' would be a better height range?
I notice that this rose lists "Morgan's Spring" as a synonym. It should be noted that the correct name for that find is "Morgan Spring," (Also listed under that name on HMF, but without mention of its relation to "Natchitoches Noisette" there).
As for its origins, here's a quote from the January, 2004 newsletter of the Heritage Rose Foundation, from Charles Walker: "Frances Grate of Pacific Grove, California, discovered it in the Morgan plot in Springwood Cemetery in Greenville, South Carolina, sometime in the 1980s, if I remember correctly. She named it by combining the family name with part of the cemetery name."
Hi. I had not heard of Morgan's Spring until I saw this post. I don't see that HMF has a listing for it either although I did see the rose offered from a couple of online nurseries. I grow Natchitoches Noisette and it's one of my favorite roses. It is a found rose, reportedly from an old cemetery in Natchitoches Louisiana. Is there any history as to Morgan's Spring's origins?
Pam Greenewald of Angel Gardens advises us: "I received my Mother plant years ago when I first started growing (over 10 years ago) from a local nursery. I know it is a "found" rose and after growing both for many years, there is no question in my mind that it is the exact same rose as Natchitoches Noisette. Hope that helps."
It certainly does. Thanks Pam and drogers. We'll add it as a synonym.
Thank you so much, Patricia, Pam and DRogers!! I have grown NN for 3 years and it is also one of my favorites (Tacoma, WA, Zone 8b). Yesterday I received Morgan's Spring from Pam and was anxious to post it and read about it but couldn't find it. Thank you all for clearing up the mystery. Always fun to grow found roses that come from different sources. My NN was from Gregg Lowery. Patricia, you're very efficient and so quick to respond!!
This rose is so easy to propagate, it almost propagates itself. I moved one, and to my surprise, found 3 little seedlings growing in its former spot. It's easy to propagate from stem cuttings as well. This is a great rose for south and central TX. I have several planted along a beige wall and they are quite drought tolerant and thriving in less than ideal soil. They bloom it seems year-round. One of the most useful roses, it should be considered for Earthkind status and more widely grown.
