Rose de Mai is voluptuously sweet and sensuous. Used throughout history for its lovely scent, Rose oil – the quintessential oil of love – encourages a feeling of happiness and contentment and is esteemed for being a classical "heart opener."

Rosa × centifolia (lit. hundred leaved/petaled rose), the provence rose, or cabbage rose, Rose de Mai is a hybrid rose developed by Dutch rose breeders in the period between the 17th century and the 19th century, possibly earlier. Its parentage includes Rosa × damascena, but it may be a complex hybrid; its exact hereditary history is not well documented or fully investigated.