Syria’s National Rose Becomes Shrinking Violet

DAMASCUS, Syria — The scented oil of Rosa Damascena is among the most valued in the world, but the pale red flower is in slow retreat.

Syria’s national rose, which traditionally crowded the large gardens of Damascus, is being beaten back by advancing tides of more profitable flowers and concrete.

Sameer Sham’a, a specialist in flower arrangement, said the rose is being removed from most city gardens as residents turn to cheaper imported roses bred in nurseries.

Flowers, and especially roses, have an exceptional place in the hearts of many Syrians, particularly in Damascus, where large classical Arab villas had courtyard gardens and were surrounded by flower beds.

Homes Replace Gardens

But with the increase of the capital’s population to more than 3 million, much garden space has been taken over by new homes.

Even the public Ghouta gardens around the capital, reputed to have been the site of Adam and Eve’s paradise, have lost territory to Tarmac and concrete.

Saeed al-Kour, who has owned a suburban nursery for 40 years, gave another reason for the rose’s disappearance.

It flowers only once a year, for about a month starting in mid-April. So Rosa Damascena has proved unprofitable for dealers, who prefer roses bred to flower for longer periods.

Prices Increase

The decline in the rose’s numbers has made its strongly scented oil, used in perfumes, more expensive. Kour said a quart of Rosa Damascena oil could sell for about $30,000.

Damascus’ close links with scented flowers may date to 64 BC, when a Roman army captured the settlement.

Some experts say the name Damascus derives from the Latin duo muscus, or double musk, and was given to the city because of the heady smell of its flowers and gardens.

The rose, however, has enchanted the Syrian defense minister, Major-General Mustafa Tlas, who has joined the fight for its survival by producing a photography book titled “Rosa Damascena.”