Introduced in Europe in the 19th century, musk roses or Rosa moschata originally came from China and India. The name derives, as might be expected, from the musky scent which the small, usually single to semi-double flowers give off. In the class of musk roses there are numerous varieties which flower more often, but still have a wild rose-like character. This means that the sweet scent of these roses can be enjoyed in the garden all year round due to their rich pastel-coloured blooms.
These roses are relatively undemanding to cultivate and also thrive very well in semi-shady locations. The foliage is very hardy, healthy and the plants are also suitable for hedge planting. Musk roses grow very broadly. In autumn, some varieties also delight the gardener with rose hips that shine orange to red from small to large.
