Damask Rose, Iranian Rose, Bulgarian Rose, Taif Rose, Emirati Rose, Ispahan Rose, Castile Rose, and Đulbešećerka, Shrub Roses
Rosa x damascena, also known as the Damask Rose, is a historically significant and fragrant rose species cherished for its stunning pink blossoms and highly prized essential oil. Revered for centuries in gardens and perfumery, this rose is celebrated for its delicate beauty and exceptional versatility.
The Damask Rose holds cultural, medicinal, and aesthetic significance, making it an essential plant for those seeking a blend of tradition and beauty in their gardens. Its dense blooms, sweet fragrance, and adaptability have made it a favorite in ornamental gardens, while its petals are widely used in cosmetics, culinary applications, and aromatherapy.
Roses belong to the Rosaceae family, which includes other plants such as Apples (Malus domestica), Peaches (Prunus persica), and Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa).
The Damask Rose is a deciduous shrub with elegant, warm pink flowers and lush green foliage. The flowers are semi-double to double, with a classic rosette form. Renowned for its intoxicating fragrance, the Damask Rose emits a sweet, heady scent that captures the essence of classic roses.
The plant typically blooms once in spring or summer, depending on locations, offering a profusion of blossoms over a short but intense flowering period. Its flowers are treasured not only for their ornamental value but also for their use in essential oil production, rose water, and dried petals for culinary and cosmetic purposes.
The Damask Rose is a rose hybrid derived from Rosa gallica and Rosa moschata. It has been cultivated for over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest cultivated roses. Major cultivation areas include Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, known for producing the finest rose oil; Turkey (Isparta region), a leading producer of rose water and oil; and Iran.
The Damask Rose is a deciduous shrub with a graceful, spreading habit. It forms upright canes with arching stems that bear solitary flowers or small clusters of blooms. The plant’s slightly untamed, natural form makes it an excellent choice for informal gardens, hedges, or traditional rose beds.
The Damask Rose typically grows 4–7 feet (120–210 cm) tall with a spread of 3–5 feet (90–150 cm). Its manageable size makes it suitable for both small and large gardens, and its bushy growth habit ensures a lush display of blooms during its flowering season.
The flowers of Rosa damascena are its crowning glory, valued for their beauty, fragrance, and utility.
The petals are hand-harvested at dawn, ensuring the highest quality for essential oil and rose water production.
The foliage is composed of pinnate leaves with 5–7 leaflets on arching, prickly stems. The leaves are dark green, providing a vibrant backdrop to the pink blooms. Though attractive, the foliage is secondary to the plant’s remarkable flowers.
Rosa damascena is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, making it suitable for a variety of temperate climates.
The Damask Rose is prized for its versatility, offering a wide range of uses:
Rosa x damascena is a magnet for pollinators. Its fragrant blooms attract bees and other beneficial insects. The dense foliage and thorny stems also provide shelter for small birds and insects, contributing to garden biodiversity.
Despite its thorny stems, deer and rabbits can cause damage.
Rosa x damascena is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe and family-friendly addition to gardens. Its petals are even edible and widely used in culinary and cosmetic applications.
Rosa x damascena is not invasive. While it may produce occasional suckers, its growth is typically easy to manage, and it does not aggressively spread in gardens.
This rose thrives in full sun to partial shade. Adequate sunlight is essential for abundant blooms and optimal oil production.
Rosa damascena prefers well-draining, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) ensures healthy growth. Amending the soil with compost or aged manure boosts fertility and moisture retention.
Regular watering is essential, especially during the growing season. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering once or twice a week promotes strong root development.
Feed with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Supplement with organic matter, such as compost or fish emulsion, for added nutrients.
Prune after flowering to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Avoid overcrowding by cutting older wood. For leggy plants, prune stems near the base to encourage fresh growth.
Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn, softwood cuttings under glass in spring or summer, or use chip budding techniques during summer for successful reproduction.
The Damask Rose, while prized for its beauty and fragrance, can be vulnerable to a variety of pests and diseases if not properly cared for.
This rose may attract common pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale insects, or caterpillars. These pests can damage foliage, flowers, and stems, reducing the plant’s vigor.
Damask Roses are susceptible to several fungal diseases, including rose black spot, rust, and powdery mildew. These diseases often thrive in humid conditions, causing leaf discoloration, defoliation, or stem dieback. Disorders like rose blindness (failure to bloom) and flower balling (petals failing to open) may also occur under certain conditions. In severe cases, honey fungus, a soil-borne pathogen, can damage the plant’s root system.
Regular monitoring, proper pruning, and ensuring good air circulation can minimize risks. Applying organic pest control measures and treating fungal infections early with fungicides are essential to maintaining healthy Damask Roses.
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height | 4' - 7' (120cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa - Shrub Rose, Rosa |
Common names | Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
Height | 4' - 7' (120cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Rosa x damascena (Damask Rose) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rosa x damascena (Damask Rose) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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