Damask Roses [ Tetraploid ]There are two groups of Damasks, the Summer Damask, once-flowering, and the Autumn Damask which has a second flowering in the autumn. Both have been grown since ancient times.Damask refers to Damascus,  supposedly grown by the Persiansin or in Syria and later brought to Europe during the time of the Crusades. Others say the Romans may have brought this rose to England. The Summer Damask is a hybrid between R. gallica and R. phoenicea, a native of the eastern Mediterranean which looks like R. multiflora, with hairy leaves. The Autumn Damask is a hybrid between R. gallica and R. moschata. [Which I don't understand as neither of the two re-bloom!?] They are rather less hardy than the Gallicas, often taller, up to 2.5 m,(71/2 ft.) with usually richly scented, red, pink or white flowers in loose clusters. The only Damasks I grow are St. Nicolas a Damask hybrid and an unnamed one that I got from a friend. Though I have to add most of my mosses and Portlands have as much Damask in there gene pools as anything else.

This is a old picture of a damask hip