Chinese Rose Guarden

Across centuries, the Chinese Rose Garden in Beijing has blossomed with vibrant hues. This garden whispers tales of emperors and empresses. It speaks of global journeys and botanical passions. Let’s step into its fragrant embrace. The Chinese Rose Garden holds a special place in Beijing’s heart. It showcases the enduring love affair between China and its “yueyuehong,” meaning “red every month.” The Chinese rose, also known as the China rose, boasts a rich history in China, cultivated for over a thousand years. Poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) penned verses celebrating its prolific blooms. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), dedicated flower businesses emerged, supplying these exquisite roses to the imperial palaces for 600 years. The Chinese rose’s journey didn’t stop at China’s borders. In the late 18th century, the East India Company carried its seeds to Europe. Empress Josephine, Napoleon’s first wife, became an avid collector of these roses, captivated by their nearly year-round blossoms. This sparked a European craze for Chinese roses. Thousands were shipped westward, leading to the development of numerous hybrid varieties over the next 120 years. Many modern Chinese roses descend from these European hybrids, brought back to China in the early 20th century. In 1920, Wu Laixi, a Chinese-Singaporean Cambridge University graduate, established the first Chinese Rose Garden in Beijing. Spanning 2,000 square meters, this garden became a testament to the flower’s enduring allure. When Wu fell ill, “Lady Chinese Rose,” or Jiang Entian, took over the garden’s care. This renowned horticulturist further cemented the Chinese rose’s legacy in Beijing. In 1959, she created a Chinese rose garden outside the Great Hall of the People. Within the next four years, she established four more gardens in the Beijing-Tianjin area. She even had a small workshop at the Temple of Heaven dedicated to cultivating these blooms. By 1966, over 3,000 Chinese rose varieties thrived within the Temple of Heaven park. The Chinese Rose Garden stands as a living testament to the flower’s beauty, resilience, and the dedication of those who nurtured it.