A colorful sea of roses sprawls across nearly a thousand acres in the Lantian Village of Chini Town, within the Huadu District of Guangzhou City. Every corner bursts with romance as thousands of vibrant hues compete for attention, creating a resplendent crimson and delicate floral landscape.

Chineseroses,among China's top ten renowned flowers with a cultivation history spanning over 2000 years, have captivated hearts for centuries due to their graceful appearance, vibrant colors, and delightful fragrance.

The story of roses intertwines with the centenary friendship between China and France. In the late 18th century, ancient Chinese roses embarked on a journey from the renowned "Huadiwan" in Guangzhou to France. By 1867, through the repeated hybridization by French horticulturist Guillot, the first modern rose variety named "La France" emerged. It can be said that half of the "lineage" of modern roses comes from Chinese roses. It is these richly colored, perennially blooming ancient Chinese roses that have propelled world horticulture into a new era.

In 2023, during an informal meeting between Chinese and French leaders in Guangzhou, roses frequently graced the occasion, symbolizing the profound friendship between the two nations. Collaborating with Meilland International S.A.,France's premier rose nursery, Qicaiyuanyi Company in Chini Town has cultivated rose varieties tailored for the climate of the southern region, and boasting resilience and ornamental value. These roses bloom magnificently at landmarks like Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Canton Tower, and Shennan Avenuein Shenzhen, offering year-round floral delights.

On March 6th, 2024, Chini Town will host the China Rose Cultivation Conference for High-Quality Development. Experts from the Chinese Rose Society of China Flower Association,National Rose Industry Innovation Alliance, World Federation of Rose Societies, Meilland International S.A.,and others will be invited to attend the event, unveiling two exclusive "new varieties" suitable for planting in the southern region.

Chini Town is the birthplace of Lingnan bonsai and a hub of the flower industry. With over a thousand acres of land, Qicaiyuanyi Company annually cultivatesover two million high-end potted plants, creating an integrated boutique park where visitors can indulge in the experience of appreciating, observing,evaluating, and purchasing exquisite flowers.

到广州花都，共赏月季花海

近日，广州花都赤坭镇蓝田村规模近千亩的七彩月季竞相绽放，转角就能遇上一片浪漫，见证一片花开。红的似火、粉的如霞，上万株七彩月季吐艳，处处姹紫嫣红，处处芳菲尽染。

月季是我国的十大名花之一，在我国已有2000多年的种植历史。因其花容秀美、花色艳丽、芳香馥郁的特点，千百年来深受人们的喜爱。

说到月季，就不得不提花开同源、情牵百年的中法友谊。18世纪末，中国古老月季从广州“花地湾”启航出海，抵达法国。1867年，中国古老月季经法国园艺师Guillot反复杂交，培育出第一批现代月季品种“法兰西”，世人称为“玫瑰”。可以说，现代玫瑰的一半“血脉”来自中国月季，正是这些色彩丰富、月月开花的中国古老月季，推动世界园艺进入了崭新的时代。

2023年，中法两国元首在广州非正式会晤现场，月季频频亮相，成为了中法两国悠久深厚友谊之花。本次赤坭镇内的七彩月季，通过与法国第一大月季种苗生产商玫昂公司合作，共同育种出适合南方气候的耐热性强、抗性高、观赏价值高的品种，已灿烂绽放于白云机场、广州塔、深圳深南大道等地，实现四季花开、步步皆景。

2024年3月6日，广州花都赤坭镇将举办中国月季培育高质量发展大会。大会将邀请中国花卉协会月季分会、中国月季创新联盟、世界月季联合会、法国玫昂国际股份公司等各位月季专家代表莅临现场，创新发布适合南方种植的两个专属“新品种”。

赤坭是岭南盆景之乡，也是花卉产业重镇。此次七彩月季用地上千亩，年培育高端精品盆栽总数量二百万株以上，建设集赏花、观花、品花、销花于一体融合精品园区。

文｜记者 冷霜 通讯员 林郁倩 古能文
图｜通讯员提供
译｜邹晓华