In Latin, the word alba means white. Rosa alba was known as The White Rose of York (England) and may have been introduced way back when the Romans ruled Britain.

The species is known to be very hardy and resistant to diseases. It is a one-time bloomer that bears its flowers in late spring to early summer. The medium size, fragrant flowers are white but there are also shades of pink. Rosa alba descended from the Damask rose. They tend to be large plants with distinctive grey green foliage.

'Queen of Denmark' ('Königin von Dänemark') is a famous cultivar with soft pink flowers with salmon pink centers and petals that curve backwards (reflex).