The Damask Rose or Rosa Damascena is a cross between Rosa gallica and Rosa moschate and considered an important step in the historical hybrid pedigree.
They were brought to Europe from the middle east in the late 13th century.
The flowers are intensely fragrant, fairly small but delightfully double and come in white, pink or red colors.
It is cultivated for the perfume industries in the middle east and is also used for culinary purposes especially in ice creams, jams, marzipan and Turkish Delight.
Examples include Rosa damascene semperflorens or the Four Season Rose, ‘Blush Damask’, ‘Duc de Cambridge’ and ‘Isaphan’.