Damask rose

In May, damask rose petals are distilled into rosewater in Kashan and Ghamsar – the golabgiri festival draws crowds.

A deciduous shrub growing to 1.5–2.5 m, with arching, densely prickly stems and odd-pinnate, grey-green leaves. It flowers once a year, in late spring, with pink, semi-double, extraordinarily fragrant flowers. It is an ancient hybrid of several rose species, and its petals contain a valuable essential oil. Rosewater and rose oil are distilled from the petals for use in perfumery, cosmetics, medicine and cooking, while dried buds and petals are added to tea and spice blends.

Significance in the country

The rose – gol – is the foremost flower of Persian poetry, from Hafez to Saadi, whose “Gulistan” means “The Rose Garden”. In Iran rosewater (golab) is added to desserts, tea and savoury dishes, and the May distillation festival in Kashan, Ghamsar and Niasar is one of the most picturesque events in the country; Iran is one of the world’s largest producers of rosewater.

Where it grows

Grown mainly around Kashan and Ghamsar in Isfahan Province, in Fars and Kerman (the Lalehzar valley), and also in Khorasan and Azerbaijan.

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