Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet…

NO! Well, maybe for Juliet, but not as far as the Rosa genus is concerned! Different species and varieties of plants carry different visual characteristics. They vary in their scent, resilience, and therapeutic value depending on their evolution in their native environments. We, as cultivators and manipulators of of the environment, can influence the constituent balance of a plant but unless we are manipulating the plant directly through hybridization and genetic manipulation, different varieties of Rosa will carry different constituents and exert unique therapeutic properties.

It is widely believed that the more therapeutically potent Rosa x damascena hails from Belgium. BUT, what is ‘best’ really depends on the intended application of the plant material. I personally love the scent profile and value the therapeutic value of the Belgian Damask rose, but as I am one to follow the science, I love working with different species and varieties as suits my intent.

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