Species Rose 'Primula': Meyer's Incense Rose

Introduced in 1890 by Carl Meyer, the species rose Rosa primula (also known as The Incense Rose, Rosa ecae, Rosa sweginzowii) brings a unique sensory experience to the garden: its foliage, not its flowers, carries the primary fragrance—a sweet, resinous incense scent released on warm days or when brushed.

Botanical Profile

The flowers are small, single, and bright yellow—charming but not the main event. The leaves are small, ferny, and glandular, exuding a sweet balsamic fragrance reminiscent of incense or pine resin. The plant forms an open, arching shrub 4-6 feet tall. Native to Central Asia, Rosa primula was introduced to Western horticulture during the great era of plant exploration. Its foliar fragrance is rare among roses—most scent their flowers. 'Primula' scents the air around it, a living incense burner for the sensory garden. A species rose that rewrites the rules of rose perfume.