It was fate, passion and determination that led Jacques Mouchotte to having a long and blossoming career with the famous rose breeder Meilland. He started at Meillard as an intern and with time and dedication he worked his way up to becoming head of the garden research department. In 1978, Mr. Mouchotte was promoted in charge of Meilland's Hybrid Tea, Floribunda and Climbing rose breeding programs.

Alain Meillard, the owner of the company, encouraged Jacques to create new varieties of roses, and in particular miniature roses and ground covering roses. This he did successfully winning many rose awards worldwide.
 

He attributes his success in rose breeding to his mentor and teacher, Mme. Louise Meilland... he is the only non member of the Meilland family who worked in their rose breeding program.

When asked whether fragrance or appearance of the rose is more important, this is how Jacques Mouchotte replied...

"For me it has to be the appearance and there is a very particular reason for this. I no longer have a sense of smell owing to an overdose of smelling too many roses."

Jacques Mouchotte has created an incredible number of rose varieties and a wonderful collection can be seen at Villa Eilenroc in Cap d'Antibes. Roses come in all shapes and sizes and the most unusual rose has to be the brown rose. Jacques confirmed that the blue rose has yet to be accomplished.

Even though Jacques Mouchotte is now retired, he continues to travel the globe giving talks and lectures to rose enthusiasts and horticultural societies.

Here are some of the beautiful roses he has created. At Villa Eilenroc be prepared to be greeted with a riot of colour and air filled with fragrant roses

Bonica '82

Yves Piaget