Francois Lacharme of France bred Salet in 1854, and the rose has been grown steadily since its introduction to Australia in 1866. The Moss rose group takes its name from the green hair-like glands on the sepals surrounding each bud, a trait that gives the flowers a textural quality unlike any other class. On Salet, those buds open to large, fully double pink blooms with pale edges and more than forty petals, carrying a noticeable fragrance that suits the cottage or cutting garden equally well.

The shrub reaches 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, a tidy scale that works in smaller spaces and makes it genuinely container-friendly for patio growing. Deep green foliage with few prickles adds to its approachability. Grow in moist but well-drained, fertile soil with a good mulch layer to hold moisture through dry spells. Prune crossing and diseased canes in late winter, and water consistently during dry periods. Watch for black spot and powdery mildew in humid summers, which are the main vulnerabilities of this otherwise resilient heritage variety.