Bulgaria has over 330 year-old-tradition in rose essential oil distillation. The Bulgarian rose oil (otto) is recognized worldwide as the ultimate rose oil. The objective of this study was to estimate the essential oil content and constituents, morphological and phenological characteristics of 25 varieties, chemotypes and hybrids belonging to five Rosa species (R. damascena Mill., R. gallica L., R. multiflora L., R. centifolia L., R. alba L.). Limits of variation of the above indices were established for each group of varieties, chemotypes, and hybrids. Generally, the essential oil content of R. damascena varied between 0.03 to 0.10%, while essential oil of hybrid roses varied between 0.047 to 0.09%. The highest essential oil content was found in R. damascena, while the lowest oil content was found in R. alba. Essential oil constituents are tabulated. Within R. damascena, the weight of single flowers varied from 2.09 to 3.44g, number of petals varied from 22 to 28, the height of the plants from 61 to 128 cm, and the width of the bushes from 53 to 118 cm. Variation of the above indices of hybrid roses was as follows: 2-6 g flower weight, with 24 - 43 petals, 60 - 115 cm plant height, and 42-105 cm plant width. Overall, R. centifolia had the largest flowers.
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