Barbier Frères & Compagnie
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Horticulture, Rose breeding |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Founder | Albert Barbier, Eugène Barbier |
| Defunct | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Olivet , France |
Area served | Europe, United States (New England) |
Key people | René Barbier |
| Products | Roses, particularly Wichurana rambler roses |
Barbier Frères & Compagnie was a prominent commercial rose nursery recognized for bringing large-flowered Wichurana rambler roses to Europe during the early 20th century. The nursery was founded in 1894 by brothers Albert and Eugène Barbier in Olivet, close to Orleans, France. The rose breeding efforts were spearheaded by René Barbier, Albert’s son, who created a distinctive type of rambling rose that continues to be admired. Notable varieties include ''Albéric Barbier'' (1900), 'Paul Transon' (1901), 'Alexandre Girault' (1909), and 'Albertine' (1921). The nursery ceased operations in 1972.
History
The Barbier nursery was initiated by Albert Barbier (1845–1931) alongside his brother Eugène in Olivet near Orleans, France. Albert had previously worked at the Transon brothers’ nursery and the D. Dauvesse nursery with Paul Transon before acquiring the Transon nurseries in 1872. He later established his own firm with Eugène in 1894. Initially focused on fruit tree sales, the family business gradually specialized in rose cultivation and marketing. Albert’s sons René (1870–1931), Léon (born 1878), and Georges eventually joined the enterprise.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Barbier nursery introduced the Wichurana rose species to Europe, named after the Prussian botanist Max Ernst Wichura (1817–1866). From 1900 to 1930, René Barbier developed rambling roses with large flowers, notable for their strong scent and graceful shape, by hybridizing Rosa lucieae—a vigorous Japanese species characterized by thick purplish-red canes and glossy leaves—with hybrid tea roses.
During its most successful period, the nursery produced some of the top-selling roses of that era, such as 'Albertine', 'Alexandre Girault', and 'François Juranville'. While Barbier roses were prolific bloomers, their initial varieties were less hardy compared to ramblers derived from Hybrid Perpetual stock. Subsequent cultivars like 'Primevère' (1929) and 'Jacotte' (1920) exhibited greater resilience, making them suitable for colder regions including New England in the United States. Additionally, the nursery introduced the first Wichurana Polyantha rose named 'Renoncule' in 1911.
After nearly eight decades of operation, the Barbier nursery closed its doors in 1972. Today, thirty-three rose cultivars developed by Barbier between 1900 and 1930 are still extant. A major collection is preserved at the Roseraie du Val-de-Marne gardens near Paris, France.
Selected roses
- 'Albéric Barbier' (1900)
- 'Paul Transon' (1901)
- 'François Foucard' (1901)
- 'Léontine Gervais' (1903)
- 'Alexandre Girault' (1909)
- 'Auguste Gervais' (1918)
- 'Jacotte' (1920)
- 'Albertine' (1921)
- 'Primevère' (1929)