Rosa Damascena, more commonly known as the Damask Rose was brought to the Balkans in the early XII century from the areas around Damascus. Rosa Damascena is not found growing wild. It is a rose hybrid, derived from Rosa Gallica and Rosa Moschata.
The Bulgarian Rose, renowned for its fine fragrance, which is harvested for rose oil used in perfumery and to make rose water, is derived from the family of Rosa Damascena, which is cultivated in the 'Rose Valley' (the towns of Kazanlak and Karlovo) since Roman times. The area of 'Rose Valley' has the most suitable climate and soil, favorable temperatures, amount of sunlight and frequency of rain.
The flowers are gathered by hand and brought to a central location for steam distillation.