More than 70 varieties of roses on display at Gardens by the Bay’s Rose Romance

A floral display showcasing more than 70 varieties of roses was launched by Gardens by the Bay on Friday (May 13).

The Rose Romance display, set up in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Singapore, was curated to mimic the Italian landscape. The rose is the national flower of Italy, and is traditionally used by Italians on a number of special occasions. 

The roses showcased in the display include climbing roses, hybrid tea roses, miniature roses and more. Some of the unique varieties brought in for the first time include Rosa ‘Friedenslicht’ or ‘Light of Peace’, named for 70 years of peace after World War II, and Rosa ‘Broceliande’, which is inspired by the Arthurian legend of Merlin and his beloved, Viviane.

The display contains small and narrow cobbled stone streets that mimic Italy’s alleyways.  Visitors can also get a taste of the Italian countryside on the boardwalk in the flower field.  

Highlights of the display include a gazebo, floral arches, a countryside picnic set-up, Vespa scooters from the movie Roman Holiday and a representation of Juliet’s Balcony from the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet. 

Gardens by the Bay will also present special rose-themed floral installations from five different local florists – Bucket Full of Roses, Fiore Dorato, Friday’s Garden, The Interior Collections and Wild Matters. There will be a different installation each week.  

Alongside the floral display, visitors can expect free opera performances by Italian soprano Marcella di Garbo and baritone Lorenzo Barbieri. They will take place at staggered timings on Jun 4 and 5 in the Flower Field Hall next to the Flower Dome entrance. Registration begins on May 23 and more details will be released in due time.

The Italian community will also conduct workshops for the public such as crepe paper flower making and postcard colouring. Some are free but others require a fee for materials. 

Rose Romance will be open from now until Jun 12 in Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. Admission charges to Flower Dome apply for access to the display and all associated workshops.