| Louis Claude Noisette | |
| Birth Date: | 2 November 1772 |
| Birth Place: | Châtillon, France |
| Death Place: | Paris, France |
| Fields: | Botany, Agronomy |
| Author Abbrev Bot: | Nois. |
Louis Claude Noisette (2 November 1772 - 9 January 1849) was a prominent French horticulturist and botanist..
He was the son of Joseph Noisette, head gardener to the Count of Provence, later King Louis XVIII. Louis Claude had two brothers: Antoine Noisette, a botanist who managed the botanical garden in Nantes, France, and Philippe Noisette, a significant figure in the American horticulture scene.
Born in Châtillon, France, Noisette initially served in the infantry before embarking on a career in horticulture. He became a gardener at Val-de-Grace in 1795 but left this position in 1798. Together with his brothers, he established a botanical facility in 1806, where he cultivated a diverse collection of plants, notably roses.
Noisette is particularly renowned for his role in developing the Noisette rose[1] (Rosa x noisettiana). This hybrid rose originated from seeds sent by his brother Philippe from South Carolina.[2] Philippe had crossed a Rosa x 'Old Blush' plant, obtained from Louis Claude, with Rosa moschata, resulting in 'Champneys' Pink Cluster'. Louis Noisette subsequently created 'Blush Noisette', the first Noisette rose, by sowing seeds of 'Champneys' Pink Cluster'.
Noisette played a crucial role in introducing and distributing rare American and Indian plants to France. His contributions were recognized in 1840 when he was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
His influence extended beyond France, with Prince Nicolas II Esterházy commissioning him to landscape his extensive estate in Austria.
The genus Noisettia, comprising small flowering plants native to tropical America, was named in his honor. Additionally, a garden at the Palace of Versailles bears his name as a tribute to his significant contributions to horticulture.
Noisette passed away in 1849 without children. His brother Philippe's descendants continued the family's horticultural legacy by operating a nursery in Charleston until the 1940s.