Moss roses are a genetic mutation of Rosa centifolia, grow to about 1.5 metres and are generally once-blooming and very fragrant.
As per Rosa centifolia, Moss Roses are very full and often quartered e.g. the bowl shaped bloom appears to be divided into four equal parts.
They are unique, however, in that they produce a sort of sticky moss-like growth on their flower stems and buds which has a balsam or pine scent to it.
They were verv popular in the late nineteenth century but other re-blooming hybrids have largely eclipsed them today.
Examples include ‘Old Red Moss’, ‘Salet’, ‘Chapeau de Napoleon’, 'William Lobb', Jeanne de Montfort' and ‘James Mitchell’.