Rosa damascena bifera
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
At this time of the year I begin to think about my garden and spring. But most of all I think about my roses and I can remember their scent. This one has been around for some time. Pliny mentioned it as the rose that bloomed twice. After Rome fell, the rose was forgoten but brought back from the Holy Land by the crusaders. That may explain the damascena part of its name. The French may have invented advertising and false advertising, in particular. They named this rose Quatre Saisons. In fact she blooms once in the spring and then again in late fall. Even during the Middle Ages this rose was a sensation as most roses only flower once. Those that repeat (remontant is the word used) usually have been crossed with roses from China.
Vancouver Rose Society