why do some roses smell different from others?

Question

some roses smell peppery and floral but others smell powdery 

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

Different molecules evaporate off of their petals - presumably to attract different sorts of pollinators, or to out-compete other roses in attracting the same pollinators.

We humans have also bred roses for hundreds of years, to emphasize or innovate attractive and novel scents, so we've played a role in the diversification of rose-smells (for our pleasure and also to make money).