How to Grow Rose de Grasse
Rose de Grasse
Rosa × damascena 'Rose de Grasse'
flowerRose de Grasse is a damask rose variety renowned for its exquisite fragrance and is one of the most prized roses for perfume production. It produces full, quartered blooms in soft pink with a powerfully sweet, complex scent. This heirloom rose has been cultivated for centuries, particularly in the Grasse region of France.
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Example Rose de Grasse timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Rose de Grasse
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Rose de Grasse blooms
Around Oct 14≈ 180 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best fragrance expression in zones 6-8
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Get my Rose de Grasse timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
3-6 monthsNewly planted rose focuses on root development with limited top growth and few or no flowers the first season
Water deeply and consistently; avoid heavy pruning; apply mulch around base; protect from extreme temperatures
Vegetative Growth
Spring and early summerStrong cane development with abundant foliage and increasing branching as the plant matures
Monitor for pests and diseases; prune to encourage bushy shape; apply balanced fertilizer monthly; remove any diseased growth immediately
Budding & Flowering
6-8 weeks per bloom cycleFlower buds form at stem tips, opening into full quartered blooms with intense fragrance
Increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to support bloom; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; provide consistent water; maintain air circulation
Summer Rest
4-6 weeks in peak summerReduced blooming and growth during heat stress; plant conserves energy
Provide afternoon shade in extremely hot climates; maintain deep watering; reduce fertilizer; prune lightly to shape
Fall Reblooming & Dormancy
8-12 weeksSecond flush of flowers often occurs in fall; plant gradually slows as temperatures cool and days shorten
Light feeding to support fall blooms; gradually reduce watering; clean up fallen leaves to prevent disease; prepare for dormancy with winter mulch
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from roses; apply neem oil or spinosad in severe infestations
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Remove infected plants entirely; control rose rosette eriophyid mite vectors with sulfur dust or miticides; no cure available
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate spray; remove affected leaves
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Remove infested canes; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators
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Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; introduce natural predators like ladybugs
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Remove infected leaves immediately; avoid overhead watering; improve air circulation; apply sulfur or copper fungicides; mulch with clean material
Uses
Perfumery & Fragrance
HouseholdRose de Grasse is the quintessential perfume rose, producing a complex, intensely aromatic oil used in fine fragrances and essential oils worldwide. The flowers are pressed or distilled to extract rose oil, attar, and absolute valued by luxury perfumers. [source]
Dried Flowers & Potpourri
CraftThe blooms retain remarkable fragrance when dried, making them ideal for homemade potpourri, sachets, and dried arrangements. Petals can be pressed and preserved in crafts or used to fill pillows. [source]
Culinary Decoration & Flavor
CulinaryPesticide-free petals can be used as edible decoration on cakes and desserts or crystallized with sugar for confections. Rose water made from the blooms flavors pastries, beverages, and traditional dishes. [source]
Traditional Remedies & Skincare
MedicinalRose petals and rose water have been used in traditional medicine for skin health, inflammation reduction, and emotional balance. Rose hip tea from the plant's fruits is rich in vitamin C. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe fragrant blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting garden pollination and biodiversity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut roses in early morning when buds are fully developed but petals still have morning dew. Make cuts at 45-degree angle with clean pruners just above an outward-facing 5-leaflet leaf. For fragrance extraction or drying, harvest at peak bloom when scent is most intense. Remove lower leaves before placing in water. Roses last 7-12 days in a vase with fresh water and floral food changed every 2-3 days.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Rose de Grasse has been cultivated in the Grasse region of southern France since the 17th century and remains a cornerstone of the global perfume industry, which produces thousands of tons of roses annually.
- 🌱 A single rose flower yields only about 0.002 ounces of pure essential oil, requiring approximately 2,000-4,000 rose blooms to produce one ounce of rose oil—making it one of the world's most expensive essential oils.
- 🌱 This damask rose variety is mentioned in historical texts and artwork dating back centuries, celebrated by poets and perfumers for its unmatched fragrance complexity with notes of honey, tea, and spice.
Gardening Terms
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