History of Garden Roses
Damask roses
Damask roses are divided into two groups - Summer (early flowering) and
Autumn (recurrent flowering). The original summer Damask, Rosa
damascena,
is said to be the result of a cross between R. gallica and R.
phoenicea which is from Syria and not hardy in Britain. R.
damascena was highly prized
from classical times as the main source of rose-water and
later for 'attar of roses'. Today R. damascena 'Trighintipetala' (Kazanlik
Rose) is widely grown in Bulgaria for the rose perfume industry.
The Autumn Damask, Rosa x bifera 'Quatre Saisons', also
known as the Four Seasons Rose, is believed to be either
a sport of the Summer Damask, or the result of a cross between R. gallica and R.
moschata which is from the
Himalayas. It was an important parent in 19th century rose
breeding because of its prolonged flowering habit.
Rose damascena is thought to be an ancestor of the Alba
group.
More plants
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Alba roses
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