Never heard of it...so I'm just as ignorant.

I've never found a single definition for "damask crud," but I have experienced what some people seem to think it is.

Most roses will look shabby after a big flush, and those of damask ancestry are no exception. While many roses will get very ordinary-looking cases of blackspot, rust and/or mildew during this period, some damasks, Bourbons and Portlands will behave differently. The older leaves will start getting mottled-looking, and edges or spots in the leaves will turn brown. Eventually these older leaves will completely brown, dry, and fall off the plant. I'm unclear on how much of this is the plant fighting off disease organisms, or how much it may simply be molting (for lack of a better word) and killing off its own leaves as part of the natural cycle.

It doesn't look great, but it doesn't usually cover much of the plant for very long.

I have heard of people in different climates from mine complaining about some sort of damask crud that sounds more like a particularly ugly form of blackspot, with both complete blackening of leaves, and some sort of nasty crust that forms over it. I've never seen that in California, so I'll just link to an old thread where it's discussed.

I have no idea about what form (if any) it may take in the UK.

Here is a link that might be useful: Old thread about

I think it is some sort of disease--Part of RdR got it this year, probably where I didn't spray, but the part that is sprayed regularly stayed clean.

I don't know what damask crud is. I like St Nicholas a lot but what is it that you don't like about Ispahan and Madame Hardy?

too many petals, mariannese - i am not keen on button eyes either. Generally, i am keen on wild or rose species, singles and semi-doubles. I really want to see stamens.

I love the look and smell of damask roses. Some of my damask roses such as Rose de Resht get a form of blackspot where the leaves get brown spots but do not readily fall off, so the spotted leaves hang on for most of the summer. This actually keeps the plants healthier than falling off because the leaves continue to nourish the plant. I don't spend as much time in my garden in the heat of the summer as early summer and fall so this condition doesn't bother me as long as the plant stays vigorous.

Yes, I think the disease so called in the eastern US is blackspot as expressed on damask and portland foliage. I've also seen it on a hybrid rugosa, 'Robusta' I think it was. Brownish-black matte spots nearly cover the leaves, but the leaves don't drop rapidly. It looks awful. I wish I had Lori's tolerance for unsightly foliage.

I've got Robusta and it gets full-blown blackspot; no doubt about it.

hmmm, its as well to know i guess. i have just cancelled an order for Mmw Louis Leveque since it seems to be one of the affected ones. Glad to know i am not missing much apart from fragrance. Bourbons do well for me so I got Coupe de Hebe instead.

It deserves repeating here that 'Ispahan' has blackspot resistance and an unusually long blooming period too. If you are curious about damasks, that's the one to start with.

"i am not keen on button eyes either" Yipes campanula! Blasphemy! Button eyes are like dimples; just makes them cuter!

Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Musings Blog

ha, i realise i do have a damask - the lovely Hebe's Lip is often classed as a damask (I just know it as rubrotincta) - doesn't get any 'crud' either.