From the picture I think this must be the famous damask rose 'Mme Hardy'. This rose is commonly marketed under the name 'Comtesse de Lacépède' in the Nordic countries. The error has been commented upon by Lars-Åke Gustavsson in his book "Rosor för nordiska trädgårdar" (1998, p. 98) and by Francois Joyaux in his "La Rose de France" (1998, p. 300) as well. We have been growing plants in the Rosarium og the Norwegian Arboretum obtained under both names side by side, and they are identical.
In my garden the two different species exist. Indeed, the blooms are almost identic, but the habitus and the foliage is absolutely different. Mme. Hardy with soft damask foliage and many long strong thorns and C.d.L with gallica leaves and just a few short thorns and chinese habitus.
