A midsummer-flowering damask rose, named for the Iranian city, Rosa Ispahan is a medium-sized, vigorous, deciduous old shrub rose with an upright, quite loose, bushy habit and a longer flowering period than most old garden roses. The divided leaves are rather a light green. In early midsummer, beautifully scrolled buds open to masses of beautiful, clear rose-pink, ‘quartered’ double flowers which reflex to show a green eye. The exquisite, strong, old rose fragrance reflects the use of damask roses for attar-of-roses and rosewater. Rosa Ispahan is a strong, reliable, healthy rose that holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Site: Tolerates exposure Soil: Any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soil; tolerates poor soils Position: Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade Season of interest: Midsummer Hardiness: Very hardy Height:5’ (1.5m) Spread: 4’ (1.2m) in 2-5 years
