Use something with a very strong damask scent, something with a heavy fragrance like Yves Piaget.

I believe I am correct in stating that the old-fashioned damask roses, as dollsandroses suggested, are the ones used commercially to make attar of roses, rose water and fragrance. I think the variety Kazanlik is the main one commercially used for mass production, but it takes a year to get going and I think has spring bloom only.

Rose de Rescht, classed as a Damask Perpetual or Portland, is a nice repeat bloomer that you wouldn't have to wait for -- it does well here and has the damask fragrance that should work well for making rose water. Rose du Roi is another fragrant Damask Perpetual to try. I haven't grown Yves Piaget that dollsandroses mentioned, but that should be good too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rose de Rescht

Thank you dollsandroses and petaloid!

The only Gallica that I have is Tuscany Superb. Would that suffice?

Has anyone ever tried using other kinds of roses with success? I was thinking about using an OGR that I have (The Cracker Rose; a.k.a. Louis Philip) or modern vareities like Fragrant Cloud. I know from experience that varieties like Memorial Day do not make for good rose water.

Adrian.

Hi Kublakan!

Actually the thing that really matters in preparing good rose water is not the particular type of rose just keep in mind that whatever type you chose keep in mind that they should be free of chemicals and pesticides so that they may be used on the skin. Petals should be picked after any dew or condensation has dried. The petals must be free of dirt and bugs, and may be washed prior to use if needed. The color of the petal has no impact on the finished rose water. Choose petals that are fragrant as the scent of the petal provides the fragrance in the rose water. Do not use stems, leaves or thorns in rose water.

After fulfilling all these essentials adopt the standard ways of preparing rose water which you can google easily