Location and area
The Rosarium or the Rose Garden
is located near the Systematic, Useful Plants and Dendrarium sections, covering an area of 1.6 ha. It includes approx. 800 varieties of roses cultivated in horticultural groups, according to their size, shape and color. Over time, some varieties did not resist to the local climatic conditions, and the number was constantly changing, due the permanent preoccupations of enriching the collection.
Description
In order to highlight the presence of the rose collection against the green background of the grass lawn, in the compositional ensemble of the Rosarium, at its periphery, tall conifers were planted: Pinus nigra,
Pinus sylvestris, Thuja orientalis, Taxus baccata.
At the same time small size species were planted towards the center: Buxus sempervirens and
Juniperus horizontalis. As elements of contrast, the following species were planted interspersed or in groups: Betula pendula, Larix
decidua, Picea pungens 'Argentea', Albizia julibrissin,
Cercis siliquastrum, Magnolia kobus, Spiraea × vanhouttei and Tamarix ramosissima.
The evolution of the Rosa genus, in cultivation, constitutes the criterion for the placement in the field of the parental species of roses. These species have been primarily grouped according to their geographical origin, followed then by the main groups of horticultural roses obtained by selection or hybridization within the same species, and next by the groups of genetically evolved horticultural roses, obtained by selections and crossovers between different species and horticultural groups.
Wild roses, of European and North American origin, are cultivated in the western part of the Rosarium:
R. gallica, R. canina şi R. pendulina, R.
pimpinellifolia, R. stylosa etc.
Immediately after the main entrance, one can notice the impressive diversity of colors, but also the fragrance of flowers, which can satisfy the most refined tastes: 'Caprice de Meilland', 'Éminence',
'Doamna în Mov', 'Allgold', 'Luchian'.
Parallel to the layers where these varieties are planted, there are taxa with white flowers: 'Simfonia', 'Pristine', 'Melina',
'Pinguin', 'Memoire', 'Everest', 'Pascali' varieties, etc.
Also, in this area, on the right side of the main alley, are cultivated the English roses. These varieties appeared in England, in the last 50 years, as a result of the breeding work carried out by D. Austin, who hybridized the classic rose varieties, from the 19th century, with the modern varieties from the Thea Hybrida and Floribunda groups. From the combination of these varieties resulted others resembling with the classic flowers, and developed on shrubby bushes. They have two flowering periods, and particularly attractive colors, are very fragrant and resistant to diseases and pests: 'Abraham Darby', 'Charles Rennie
Macintosh', 'Darcey Bussell', 'Glamis', 'Graham Thomas', 'Lady of
Shalott', 'Molineux', 'Othello', 'Pat Austin', 'Port Sunlight', 'The
Prince', 'Winchester Cathedral' etc.
On the left side can be admired the varieties from the Thea Hybrida group, with pink flowers, and different nuances: 'La France', 'Arabela', 'La Tosca',
'Good News', 'Madrigal', 'Grand Prix', 'Europa', 'Eden Rose', etc.
In a layer arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, there are varieties from the same group, but with yellow flowers: 'Elina', 'Frau E. Weigand',
'Glorious', 'Golden Delight', 'Sutter’s Gold' , 'Gold Medal',
'Diamond Jubilee', 'Peer Gynt', 'Topaze Orientale', 'Lutetia'.
In the same area, there are several Romanian varieties created by St. Wagner and Gabriela Roman at the Horticultural Research Station in Cluj-Napoca: 'Zburlici', 'Rusticana', 'Nobilia', 'Petrina', 'Perla
Transilvaniei', 'Rosadora', 'Afrodita', 'Rosalinda' and 'Judit'.
Close to the Romanian varieties are cultivated the Thea Hybrida varieties, with bicolor flowers. These specimens are planted on two parallel layers: one with flowers that combine yellow and red, and on the other, flowers of light red or a mixture of red with white or yellow: 'Carmen Silva', 'Diapason', 'Silvana', 'Grace de
Monaco', 'Parade', 'Idylle', 'R.M.S. Queen Mary', 'Rapture', 'Mme.
A. Meilland', 'Rose Gaujard', 'Prima Donna', 'Impératrice Farah'.
Varieties with red flowers complete the entire range of nuances, from light red to dark red, velvety, and fragrant: 'Black Magic',
'Barkarole', 'Crimson Glory', 'Divine', 'Erotika', 'Ernest H. Morse',
'Holsteinperle', 'Magali', 'Oklahoma', 'Poinsettia', 'Porta Nigra',
'Uncle Walter', 'Sophia Loren', 'Jolie Princesse', 'Eddy Mitchell',
'Halloween', 'Red Queen', 'Red Success', 'Royal Scarlet', 'Lady Helen',
'Peter Frankenfeld'.
Around the central round, on two semicircular layers, arranged face to face, dwarf rose varieties from the Polyantha horticultural group are planted. They have small, single- or bi-colored flowers, arranged in bouquets: 'Cricri', 'Mihali', 'Little Scotch',
'Perla de Alcañada', 'Bucurie de Mai', 'Baby Chateau', 'Rosu
de Timişoara', 'Chatillon Rose', 'Denise Cassegrain', 'Satin Rose',
etc.
The central area is planted with the Romanian variety 'Foc de Tabără', created in 1970 by St. Wagner.
By hybridizing Polyantha varieties with Thea hybrids, a new horticultural group of Polyantha hybrid roses was created, with intermediate horticultural qualities: 'Zizi', 'Atombombe', 'Horrido', 'Leipzig' with red flowers, 'Rumba', 'Baby Masquerade' with bicolor flowers and 'Schneewittchen', 'Dagmar Späth' with white flowers.
Varieties from the Floribunda group are found on the semicircular layer, following the roses from the Polyantha group: 'Luchian', 'Foc de Tabara', 'Tabarin', 'Lilli Marleen', 'Ama', 'Masquerade', 'Miss France', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Cocorico', 'Concerto', 'Spartan', 'Floradora', 'Cavalcade', 'Rodeo', 'Fanal', 'Red Ripples', 'Vogue', 'Fee', 'Titian', 'La Voulzie', 'Flamenco', 'Mercedes', 'Orangeade', 'Lys Assia', 'Zambra', 'Fata Morgana', 'Blue for You', 'Camille Pissarro', 'Botticelli', etc.
Following the roses in the Floribunda group, there are the varieties in the Floribunda-Grandiflora group: 'Queen Elizabeth', 'Montezuma', 'Dufwolke', 'Burning Love', 'Coup de Foudre', 'June Bride', 'Passion'.
Thematic
Currently, the collection of noble roses of the Botanical Garden includes about 800 varieties. This valuable collection of roses is unique in Romania and has been recognized by "The World Federation of Rose Societies".
Leaving the Rosarium, apart from the pleasant impressions offered by the beauty of the flowers, the visitor remains with a conclusive image of the evolution of cultivated roses.
