Damasks - The Friends of Vintage Roses

Damasks

Summer Damask, D

Celsiana, D

Professeur Emile Perrot, D

Petite Lisette, D

Oeillet Parfait, D

Bella Donna, D

Perhaps the most mysterious of the old rose groups; attempts have been made to track down the probable parentage of the Damasks, but the suggestions seem implausible. The name refers to Damascus in the Middle East, whence it was once believed these roses came. We do know that they have been used for centuries in the production of attar or oil of roses; their fragrance is strong, and today is the scent most often associated with roses. For potpourri, few roses are more valued than the Damasks. Recent genetic studies have revealed three wild rose parents that led to the Damasks: Rosa gallica, Rosa moschata, and Rosa fedtschenkoana.

We currently have no curator for the Damasks. If you are interested in becoming one, please contact: curator@thefriendsofvintageroses.org.

Damasks are moderate to large growers reaching 5′ to 7′ in height, arching with tapering branches that bow down with the weight of their blooms. We group them into three styles (left to right, above).

(E.g., York & Lancaster) The tall broad-spreading canopies, heavy caned below and twiggy at their extremities. [D #1]
(E.g., Leda) A shorter type with stouter canes and a more spreading, stiff habit, often with larger flowers of more petals. [D #2]
(E.g., Gloire de Guilan) Even lower, more spreading plants rarely topping 4′. [D #3]

Brackets refer to Explanatory Information page.
Damask roses original Book of Roses pages: VCG_Damasks.pdf

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About TFoVR

TFoVR owns and maintains the historic roses in our collection, currently located in Sebastopol, California, about 50 miles north of San Francisco. Rosarians world-wide consider the collection to be one of the most comprehensive multiple-class collections of old roses ever assembled. Of particular note — the Hybrid Perpetuals, Bourbons, Gallicas, Hybrid Chinas, Teas, Noisettes and Chinas — are among the most complete in North America and the old Hybrid Teas include an extensive group of Pernetianas.