Classic Rose Fragrance

10 years ago

Today I experienced the first fully open bloom on Sydonie and it was wonderful. The first whiff was exactly what I had in my mind for classic Damask fragrance. Just divine. It was almost like rose water. There aren't too many roses I've tried that I would say have that fragrance. Rose de Rescht is a bit fainter for me, but similar in quality.

What roses do you grow that best encapsulate that smell for you?

Jay

Featured Answer

jacqueline9CA

10 years ago

Crimson Glory has what I think of as the classic rose scent, and very strong, too.

Jackie

Comments (11)

mariannese
10 years ago
Several, if not all of the damasks I grow have that smell. Trigintipetala, Ispahan, La ville de Bruxelles, Madame Hardy among them.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
10 years ago
To my regret I don't think I have a single rose that really qualifies. Reine de Violettes may but all I have is one closed bud on my baby rose. Belinda's Dream, Bishop's Castle, Aunt Margy's Rose, Young Lycidas and La France come closest, but are probably not spot on.

Ingrid
zjw727
10 years ago
Oklahoma! "Red HT" isn't really my idea of rose perfection, but I LOVE Oklahoma, largely because of the incredible fragrance. Rich, strong old-rose Damask scent, and the petals are like red-black velvet. Gorgeous!
kittymoonbeam
10 years ago
The only pure Damask that I can grow is Autumn Damask / Quatre Saisons. All the rest have a variation of it with other things mixed in. My favorite of the mixed damask fragrance is La Reine.
melissa_thefarm
10 years ago
For me, 'Centifolia' is as perfectly rosy as you can get, in scent, color, and form. I agree about Damasks and 'Oklahoma'; and there are a number of red HTs with strong Damask fragrance: 'Cl. Etoile de Hollande', 'Barcelona'/'Francis Dubreuil', and 'Mister Lincoln' come to mind.
Melissa

This post was edited by melissa_thefarm on Thu, Mar 13, 14 at 12:51
rosefolly
10 years ago
I would agree with those who suggested Crimson Glory and Oklahoma for pure damask scent. And also actual damask roses, too, of course! But I think CG and Oklahoma may actually have the fragrance in a stronger form than the original damasks.

Folly
lavender_lass
10 years ago
Best rose fragrance....William Lobb moss rose. It's wonderful :)

Not my picture, but closest I could find to what my rose looked like last summer... {{gwi:235053}}From Lavender's Garden
lori_elf z6b MD
10 years ago
Mmm, I sure miss that scent and can't wait for rose season to arrive again.

I find that Ispahan is not very strong scented as far as Damasks go. Much stronger to me are Leda and some of the Portland damasks -- Marchessa Bocella/Jacques Cartier, Rose de Recht, Sydonie, Quatre Saisons, and Duchess de Rohan (VERY STRONG).

I agree that some of those red HTs are even more powerful -- Oklahoma, Crimson Glory, and Etoile de Hollande. Some of the older hybrid perpetuals are also very strongly old rose -- Mme Victor Verdier, Enfant de France, Baronne Prevost, Mrs. John Laing, etc. I don't grow many any more because of blackspot issues but loved their smell.
nippstress - zone 5 Nebraska
10 years ago
I would have to go with Barcelona/Frances Dubreuil for my nose, with Maggie coming in second. Both of those will curl my toes with what I consider classic rose scent.

Cynthia
NewGirlinNorCal
10 years ago
Hmm- classic "rose" smell like soap or sachets- Mme. Cecile Brunner and boy does that pack a scent wallop.

Rose smell like I think a rose "should" smell- Mr. Lincoln buds when they first open. It's a very "fine" smell to me, like an eyeliner brush, not as "broad" as the damasks or the Ceceil Brunner. (Boy, talking about scent is hard. I find myself saying the strangest things.)

My very subjective favorite though is my Mrs. Dudley Cross who, when I bring her inside, picks up a tropical white flower scent. Almost like ginger flowers or tuberrose. Not what I think of when I think of tea roses at all.