Perhaps Lyon whispers secrets of love and beauty. It does so through its roses. This is La roseraie Plaque. It commemorates Lyon’s deep connection to roses. Lyon is more than just a pretty city. It is a historical hub for rose cultivation and innovation.
La roseraie Plaque stands as a testament to Lyon’s rose legacy. The history stretches back centuries. The city’s rose story is intertwined with names like Jean-Baptiste Guillot. He established “La Terre des Roses” in 1834. Guillot’s company revolutionized rose breeding. They developed grafting roses onto eglantine rootstock. This technique is used worldwide today. They even produced the world’s first hybrid tea rose.
Lyon became a center for rose cultivation. Many family firms established themselves here. Names like Meilland became synonymous with roses. Alain Meilland, a fifth-generation rose grower, sees roses as almost human. They begin as babies and grow into adults. Roses facilitate human connection. People from different countries share their rose-growing secrets.
The Festival of Roses in Lyon showcases this passion. Rose fanciers gather to admire beautiful blooms. Lyon is home to Rosa Gallica. It is one of the oldest cultivated rose species. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew it. It graced gardens during the Middle Ages. Almost all modern roses descend from Rosa Gallica. The rose became a symbol of Lyon itself. It embodies the city’s beauty and spirit.
The Botanical Garden’s rose garden illustrates Lyon’s horticultural involvement. The rose garden was created in 1858. It has been rearranged since then. It showcases Lyon’s varieties. It preserves the city’s rich local heritage. The garden demonstrates the domestication of roses. It goes from wild roses to modern hybrids.
In the Parc de la Tête d’Or, three complementary rose gardens exist. They conserve old roses. They display modern roses. These combine aesthetics, expertise and visitor enjoyment. The roseraie internationale holds 8,846 rose bushes. These represent around 450 different varieties. Princess Grace inaugurated it on June 19, 1964. The roseraie historique was renovated in 2014. It holds 270 varieties of roses. These represent Lyon’s golden age. The roseraie de concours tests new roses.
Lyon’s rose history includes milestones. Jean Baptiste Guillot created the first hybrid tea rose ‘la France’ in 1867. Joseph Pernet-Ducher created the first yellow-orange hybrid tea rose ‘Soleil d’Or’ in 1900.
La roseraie Plaque invites us to appreciate Lyon’s floral heritage. It shows the dedication and artistry that have made Lyon the city of roses.