A rose named Peace

The Austrian public service network ORF has produced a long list of laid back nature documentaries about everything except charismatic African megafauna. Although I frequently find them a bit *too* laid back (and very Austria-centered), I admit that I'm also tired of watching lions and hyenas tearing the flesh off wildebeest carcasses!

None of that here.

“Rose: Queen of Flowers” really is a documentary about roses, and perhaps rose-breeders. Featured cultivars include “Peace”, given to the founding members of the United Nations. We are also introduced to “Michele Serrault”, which took 30 years to “create” until the spots on its petals were perfected. A cultivar not named was so sturdy that it survived a flood, while all the surrounding trees died! Perhaps it was grown in an organic garden? One rose not featured is the legendary black rose, since it doesn't exist…yet. We also learn that aspirin or soft drinks don't make roses last longer in winter...

Since I don't know much about Juliet's and Henry Tudor's favorite flower, I can't really tell whether this production is good, bad or just beautiful. But yes, it's probably worth a watch if Rosaceae is your thing.