Eight edible rose favourites

'Rose de Resht' Damask rose (R. ‘Rose de Resht’)
Zone 5
Brought to England from Rasht, Iran, by rosarian Nancy Lindsay in 1939. The fully double, purple-fuchsia, highly scented flowers are arranged in tight clusters, with each bloom measuring about 4 centimetres across. Easy to grow, it flowers from midsummer to autumn. Protect blooms from hot afternoon sun to avoid bleaching. RHS AGM 1993

Pristine Pavement hybrid rugosa rose (R. [Pavement Series] ‘Schneeberg’)—not shown
Zone 3
All of the cultivars in the Pavement Series have rugosa roses in their backgrounds and are similar in habit to the Explorer Series (and equally hardy). Pristine Pavement bears semi-double, fragrant, pure white flowers on a disease-resistant plant with a mounding form and shiny foliage. Bred by Baum in Germany (1994).