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Rosa x damascena (Damask Rose)

Damask Rose, Iranian Rose, Bulgarian Rose, Taif Rose, Emirati Rose, Ispahan Rose, Castile Rose, and Đulbešećerka, Shrub Roses

Damask Rose, Rose damascena, Rose Water, Rose Perfume

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).


Description

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.


Native Habitat

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.


Plant Type and Habit

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.


Plant Size

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.


Flowers

The flowers of Rosa damascena are its crowning glory, valued for their beauty, fragrance, and utility.

  • Color: Medium to light pink, with a delicate gradient toward the center.
  • Size: Each flower measures 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) in diameter.
  • Fragrance: Exceptionally strong and sweet, embodying the quintessential rose scent.
  • Blooming Season: Once-blooming in spring or summer, with a concentrated burst of flowers lasting several weeks.
  • Shape: Semi-double to double blooms with layered, ruffled petals.

The petals are hand-harvested at dawn, ensuring the highest quality for essential oil and rose water production.


Foliage

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.


Hardiness

Rosa damascena is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, making it suitable for a variety of temperate climates.


Uses

The Damask Rose is prized for its versatility, offering a wide range of uses:

  • Perfume Industry: Its petals are distilled to produce rose essential oil, known as “liquid gold” due to its high value.
  • Culinary Applications: Used in desserts, teas, syrups, and traditional dishes, especially in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.
  • Medicinal Uses: Historically used for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and mood-enhancing properties.
  • Ornamental Gardening: A stunning addition to traditional rose gardens or cottage-style landscapes. Can be used for cut flowers or hedges.

Wildlife

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.


Deer and Rabbit Resistance

Despite its thorny stems, deer and rabbits can cause damage.


Toxicity

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.


Invasiveness

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.


Rose Bush Care: How to Grow Healthy, Beautiful Damask Roses

Light Requirement

This rose thrives in full sun to partial shade. Adequate sunlight is essential for abundant blooms and optimal oil production.


Soil

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.


Water

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.


Fertilizer

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.


Pruning

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.


Propagation

Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn, softwood cuttings under glass in spring or summer, or use chip budding techniques during summer for successful reproduction.


Disease and Pest Resistance

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.

Pest Resistance

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.

Disease Resistance

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.

Prevention and Care

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.

Requirements

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
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Do I Need?
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Rosa Blushing Knock Out® (Shrub Rose)
Rosa ‘Belinda’s Dream’ (Shrub Rose)
Rosa Orange Glow™ Knock Out® (Shrub Rose)
Rosa White Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Lemon Drift® (Groundcover Rose)
Rosa Buttercream Drift® (Groundcover Rose)

Recommended Companion Plants

Nepeta racemosa (Catmint)
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Delphinium
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Paeonia (Peonies)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

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 Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Rosa (Shrub Roses) Rosa (Rose)
Not sure which Rosa (Shrub Roses) to pick?
Compare Now

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