While it's first officially registered in Europe under the name Autumn Damask in 1819, it may well be the rose described in Greek and Roman antiquity as Four Seasons Rose of Paestrum. It earned that name by being the only one of the Old European varieties to repeat, blooming in flushes every six weeks or so. The charming pink rosettes bloom in clusters, with a strong Damask scent.

    In some ways, this is a tough, versatile rose. It's hardy to Zone 4, tolerates partial shade conditions well, and isn't particularly fussy about soil as long as it gets reasonably good drainage. However, it does not have the disease resistance of modern roses, so it's particularly important to ensure good air circulation with proper siting and pruning.