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How to Grow Damask Rose Trigintipetala

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Damask Rose Trigintipetala

Rosa damascena 'Trigintipetala'

shrub

Damask Rose Trigintipetala is a highly fragrant, old garden rose cultivar known for its abundant, deeply double flowers with up to 30+ petals. This historic variety is the primary rose used in commercial rose oil and perfume production. It produces soft pink blooms with an intoxicating fragrance and has been cultivated for centuries, particularly in Bulgaria and Turkey.

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Example Damask Rose Trigintipetala timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Damask Rose Trigintipetala

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Damask Rose Trigintipetala

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Damask Rose Trigintipetala dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates
💧
Water: Deep, regular watering; approximately 1-1.5 inches per week. Water at soil level to avoid foliar diseases. More frequent watering during flowering season and dry spells
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Spacing: 36 inches
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Days to maturity: Established flowering in second year; peak oil production by year 3-4
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Planting depth: Bud union should be 1-2 inches below soil surface in cold climates (for winter protection) or at/slightly above soil level in warmer areas

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Compost aged manure peat moss bone meal

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-8; cold-hardy but prefers temperate climates

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

6-8 weeks

New canes develop from the graft union; initial foliage emerges pale green

Water regularly but avoid overwatering; provide support if needed; pinch back weak growth to encourage branching

2

Vegetative Growth

8-12 weeks

Vigorous cane development with dense, medium-green foliage; plant builds framework

Apply balanced fertilizer monthly; maintain consistent moisture; prune diseased or weak wood; no deadheading yet

3

Bud Formation

3-4 weeks

Flower clusters appear at cane tips; buds begin to form in late spring

Switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer to support flowering; maintain consistent watering; monitor for pests

4

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Abundant clusters of deeply double, soft pink flowers with intense fragrance; blooms typically once per season in early to mid-summer

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage lateral blooming; harvest flowers in early morning at full bloom for oil production; continue watering deeply

5

Post-Flowering/Dormancy

6-8 weeks before dormancy

Flowers fade and drop; hips may form if not deadheaded; foliage prepares for dormancy

Allow some flowers to form hips if desired; reduce nitrogen fertilization; prune out crossing or diseased canes; prepare for winter protection in cold zones

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Catmint Sage Thyme Geranium Bearded iris Delphinium Alliums Jasmine Clematis

Avoid planting near:

Walnuts Black walnut Plants sensitive to rose root secretions

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; strong water spray to dislodge; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs

  • Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; water at base only; apply sulfur or copper fungicide; mulch to prevent spore splash

  • Ensure adequate air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or neem oil; remove heavily infected shoots

  • Hand-pick affected leaves; spray with insecticidal soap; neem oil application; encourage parasitic wasps

  • Increase humidity; strong water spray; neem oil or insecticidal soap; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen

  • No cure; remove infected plants; control vector (rose rosette mite) with miticides; plant resistant varieties nearby

Uses

🍳

Rose Water & Culinary Uses

Culinary

Damask rose is the primary source of culinary-grade rose water, used in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking for flavoring desserts, beverages, and savory dishes. Rose petals can be candied, dried for tea, or used as garnishes. [source]

💊

Essential Oil & Aromatherapy

Medicinal

The essential oil (rose otto or attar) is renowned in traditional medicine and aromatherapy for calming nervous tension, supporting emotional balance, and promoting skin health. Contains geraniol and citronellol compounds with documented relaxant properties. [source]

🏠

Perfumery & Fragrance

Household

Trigintipetala is the gold standard rose for commercial perfume production, particularly in Bulgaria (Valley of the Roses) and Turkey. Its deep, complex fragrance is a foundational note in luxury perfumery. [source]

🎨

Drying & Potpourri

Craft

Petals dry beautifully and retain fragrance for months, making them ideal for dried flower arrangements, herbal crafts, and homemade potpourri blends. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Although double-flowered, the abundant blooms provide pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects during its flowering season. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest flowers in early morning after dew dries but before heat of day, when blooms are at peak fragrance and not fully open. Cut stems just above a leaf node. For oil/perfume production, harvest entire flower clusters at their peak. Flowers are also ideal for fresh arrangements, pressing, or drying. Peak oil yield occurs around mid-bloom; flowers contain 0.1-0.2% essential oil by weight.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Trigintipetala's name refers to its 30+ petals; this variety has been cultivated since at least the 17th century and is believed to be one of the oldest Damask roses still commercially grown.
  • 🌱 Bulgaria's Valley of the Roses produces approximately 70% of the world's rose oil, with Trigintipetala as the primary cultivar. It takes approximately 60 blooms to produce just 1 drop of pure rose essential oil.
  • 🌱 Damask roses were brought to Europe by crusaders returning from the Middle East during the medieval period; this specific cultivar is so fragrant that its oil has been used in perfumery since at least the Ottoman Empire.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun pH Pinch Back
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