Rose La Calissonne

‘La Calissonne’ is a modern French shrub rose bred by Dominique Massad. The rose’s blooms - orange-yellow aging to cream-white - evoke the famous Provençal calisson confection. With very full, cup-shaped flowers borne in clusters, ‘La Calissonne’ offers repeat flowering through the season . Fragrance is mild, and the plant forms a vigorous upright shrub with glossy, bright-green foliage. Rose is named in honor of Aix-en-Provence’s almond-paste candy and its introduction during a local festival in 2014.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

FLOWERING

The flowers of ‘La Calissonne’ are large, about 11–12 cm in diameter when fully open, and very full in petalage count. Each flower contains approximately 80–100 petals in total, creating a lush, quartered rosette shape. In the early stage, blooms are high-centered and cup-shaped, the outer petals reflex slightly, forming a shallow cup. As the flower matures, it opens wider into a full rosette with a slightly quartered center. The petals are somewhat imbricated (overlapping), and their texture is satiny and rather thick. A notable characteristic is that the outermost petals reflex back as the bloom ages, which the breeder likens to the oval shape of a calisson candy. Indeed, the catalog description highlights “les pétales extérieurs en se reflétant forment l’ovale du Calisson” – the outer petals reflex to form the oval of the Calisson, a poetic way to connect the bloom form with the confection’s iconic almond-like shape.

The color palette of ‘La Calissonne’ is a dynamic blend of pastel shades, primarily golden-yellow and cream. Fresh blooms open in a soft orange-yellow hue with a warm golden tone, then age to a creamy off-white towards the petal edges. The two-tone effect is subtle and pleasing: the heart of the flower retains a pale apricot or primrose yellow blush, while the outer parts fade to ivory or cream. This creates a delicate gradient reminiscent of the candied melon and icing of a calisson sweet. In cooler weather, some blooms may exhibit a hint of pink or soft peach as they age; and in very hot summers, where extreme heat causes a delicate pink flush on a few blooms. Overall, the coloration is soft and elegant rather than loud. Under normal growing conditions no variegation observed on the flower of this rose, ‘La Calissonne’ produces solid-colored blooms. For precise color identification, if using the RHS Colour Chart, the hues would likely fall in the light yellow group (near RHS Yellow-White Group 158C) for the aged outer petals, with a touch of Yellow Group 11D or Apricot Group for the center.

The scent of ‘La Calissonne’ is described as light to none. Several sources corroborate that the bloom exudes only a faint sweet scent, if any. Gardeners who desire fragrance may wish to plant ‘La Calissonne’ near complementary aromatic roses or herbs. Its main appeal is visual beauty and disease-free growth rather than perfume.

The blooms are borne mostly in small clusters, which is rather typical of a Shrub rose. Usually each flowering stem carries a corymb or umbel of 3 to 7 blooms opening around the same time. Well-established plants can display clusters of up to 5–10 flowers on strong laterals, creating a bouquet effect on the bush.

The blooming habit is repeat-flowering, it blooms n flushes from early summer until the first frosts. After the main spring bloom, subsequent waves of flowers occur throughout summer and into autumn. Deadheading (removing spent blooms) will encourage quicker rebloom. Each individual flower is long-lasting on the plant, often holding for several days in mild weather without shattering. Spent petals will drop cleanly, and some decorative orange-red rose hips may form later in the season if flowers are not deadheaded, though the hip display is not a noted feature of this cultivar, as its fertility and seed set are limited.

PLANT

‘La Calissonne’ is classified as a Modern shrub rose, often grouped with landscape roses. It grows as a deciduous, bushy shrub with an upright to slightly spreading habit. Under average conditions it reaches about 120 cm in height and about 60 cm in width. However, under a warmer climate it may grow as a rather large shrub, reaching about 180 cm in height and about 90 cm in width. Gardeners should therefore allow adequate space or place this rose toward the back of borders in regions where it might grow larger than the catalog specification.

In terms of taxonomic history, Rosa ‘La Calissonne’ falls under the broad group of modern garden roses. It does not belong to a specific old garden class (like Hybrid Perpetual or Tea) but is categorized as a Modern Shrub by the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA).

From a horticultural perspective, shrub roses like ‘La Calissonne’ are prized in landscapes for combining the charm of old roses with the remontancy (repeat-blooming ability) and vigor of modern breeds. Such roses constitute a broad class known for their hardiness, dense growth, and often disease-tolerant foliage. ‘La Calissonne’ contributes to this category as a profusely blooming, hardy cultivar suitable for home gardens. Its introduction came at a time of increasing demand for disease-resistant roses that perform well without intensive spraying.

Foliage and canes:

There is a large quantity of the foliage on the plants of rose variety ‘La Calissonne’. The leaves of this rose are compound pinnate, generally consisting of 5 to 7 leaflets, but most commonly 7, including the terminal leaflet. The foliage is notably healthy, leathery in texture, medium to dark green in colour, and has a glossy surface. This glossiness often correlates with greater disease resistance in roses, as waxy leaf surfaces can shed water and inhibit fungal spore adhesion. The leaflets are ovate with serrated margins, the type of serration is variable: from double to single, the size of serration is medium. The dense, healthy foliage complements the flowers and contributes to the rose’s ornamental value even when not in bloom.

Stems are numerous and well-branched, forming a dense shrub. The canes bear a profusion of prickles. These prickles are stout and curved downward, typical of many shrub roses, providing a degree of deer resistance but also necessitating careful handling when pruning or training the plant.

Disease resistance:

Rose variety ‘La Calissonne’ has proven to be quite highly resistant to common rose diseases, especially fungal leaf spots. In multiple climates, its foliage remains clean and free of black spot (Diplocarpon rosae) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera pannosa). This trait means it often can be grown without fungicidal sprays, an advantage for organic gardeners. Furthermore, ‘La Calissonne’ shows good heat tolerance. It was bred in southern France (Mediterranean climate) and handles high summer temperatures without losing vitality.

In terms of winter hardiness, cold tolerance is moderate: the plant is reliably hardy to about –20 °C (USDA Zone 6) with winter protection, and in zone 5 (–23 to –26 °C) it will likely experience cane die-back unless thoroughly mulched and covered.

The name ‘La Calissonne’ is richly evocative and rooted in French culture. Etymology: Calisson is the name of a traditional confection from Aix-en-Provence, made of ground almonds and candied melon topped with royal icing, typically formed in an oval or lozenge shape. The feminine form “La Calissonne” used for the rose likely personifies the candy (in French, le calisson is masculine for the item, but la Calissonne could refer to a symbolic representation, such as a bell named after the candy). According to the breeder’s notes, the naming was directly inspired by the candy and its annual celebration: “Chaque année, la ville d’Aix-en-Provence célèbre le calisson, spécialité provençale à base de pâte d’amande”, meaning “Each year, the city of Aix-en-Provence celebrates the calisson, a Provençal specialty made from almond paste.” Dominique Massad chose this name to honor the local tradition and to draw a parallel between the rose and the confection.

Additionally, during the creation of this rose, a new church bell in Aix had been christened La Calissonne. In September 2014, La Calissonne (the bell) was blessed, and Massad’s rose ‘La Calissonne’ was unveiled at the same event. This unique christening effectively tied the rose’s name to both a culinary and a cultural icon of Aix-en-Provence. Such naming practices are not uncommon in the rose world (roses are often named for famous people, places, or symbols), but ‘La Calissonne’ stands out as a rose named after a dessert - underscoring its sweetness and local charm.

“Les Provencelles”

While ‘La Calissonne’ has not yet received a major international award as of 2025 (e.g. ADR or RNRS trials), it has been highlighted by specialty nurseries and rose societies for its garden performance.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' is a modern shrub rose bred by Dominique Massad in France and introduced in 2014. Rose variety ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' originated by crossing the Shrub rose ‘Concerto 94’ with the Floribunda/Shrub rose ‘Summer Lodge’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

As part of Massad’s “Les Provencelles®” series of roses, this variety reflects a breeding emphasis on intense coloring and robust performance in garden conditions. It has quickly gained attention for its unique blooms and strong disease resistance, making it a valuable addition to contemporary rose collections. In 2014, ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' was officially launched in Aix-en-Provence during the annual Fête du Calisson (Calisson Festival), tying the rose to local cultural heritage. Calissons are an almond-based Provençal candy, and the rose’s debut at the festival underscored its symbolic significance: “Pour l’occasion l’obtenteur, Dominique Massad, nous présentera la « Calissonne », une rose créée en exclusivité en l’honneur de la cloche La Calissonne” (“For the occasion, the breeder Dominique Massad will present ‘La Calissonne’, a rose created exclusively in honor of the bell La Calissonne,”) – referring to a church bell nicknamed La Calissonne that was celebrated alongside the candy blessing ceremony. This naming and launch event illustrate the rose’s deep local roots and significance.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Dominique Massad’s choice of these parents indicates a conscious effort to blend disease-resistant shrub lineage (Meilland’s genetics) with novel coloration (Orard’s flamboyant palette). The resulting‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' inherited a pastel version of the warm colors and maintained excellent foliage health, validating the breeder’s strategy. In an official cultivar registry or announcement, Massad described the cross and perhaps noted that among the seedlings, this one was selected for its unique look and strong performance: “born from crossing ‘Concerto 94’ × ‘Summer Lodge’, it inherited the excellent health of the former and the warm tonality of the latter”.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' may be distinguished from its seed parent ‘Concerto 94’, by the following combination of characteristics:

 ‘Concerto 94’ grows to about 100 cm, nearly thornless, with glossy leaves, characteristics reflected in ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' (notably the glossy foliage and strong shrub growth habit). Additionally, ‘Concerto 94’ has an apricot/cream color blend, which presumably reinforced the pastel color range in the offspring.

The ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne' may be distinguished from its pollen parent ‘Summer Lodge’ by the following combination of characteristics:

 The pollen parent ‘Summer Lodge’ bears semi-double blooms in a riot of sunset colors: petals are striped and splashed terracotta, yellow, orange, and sometimes pink. It’s a short climber or tall shrub, about 120 - 140 cm high, with a moderate fragrance. In ‘MAScali ’ / 'La Calissonne', the striping did not manifest, but ‘Summer Lodge’ likely contributed to the warm orange tone. Orard’s roses are also known for vigor; ‘Summer Lodge’ in particular can handle heat and has recurrent bloom, traits valuable for a shrub rose in Provence.

USDA 6