The newly renovated Princess Grace Rose Garden is now open!

The official reopening of the Princess Grace Rose Garden, in the heart of the Fontvieille district of Monaco, took place on Saturday, June 14 in the presence of HSH Prince Albert, HRH Princess Caroline and HSH Princess Charlene, members of the Government and National Council, and privileged guests. The stormy and rainy weather did not eclipse the highly anticipated ceremony, celebrated 30 years after its inauguration on June 18, 1984 by HSH Prince Rainier III, as an English garden in memory of his adored wife Princess Grace of Monaco (1929-1982). A plaque in the garden refers to his marvelous and everlasting initiative.

Roses were known to be particular favorite flowers of the Princess and approximately 4,000 rose bushes of many varieties over 3,000 m2 populated the original garden. For this important anniversary the Government with the generous support of Piaget have enlarged and modernized the style and space of the garden based on three main axes: landscape, ecological and educational. From an ecological point of view, only biological treatments will be used to fight the parasites plus the utilization of natural manure plus reasonable management of watering and all the necessary practices that will enable it to obtain the label of “Ecological Garden” as it was the case with the Japanese Garden. On the educational side roses will be labeled plus a QR code (quick response code) that will enable to obtain the complete index card for each plant. Furthermore, an interactive terminal at the entrance of the garden will provide all the necessary information on the placement of the plants and the individual card for each variety. Keeping the spirit of the ancient garden the new layout has maintained the majestic gates with the Princess Grace monograms, the grand central pergola, the centennial olive trees and the sculpture of Princess Grace, by artist Kees Verkade, forever watching over her beloved roses. This new splendid and peaceful garden now counts with additional 1500 m2 with a total surface of solid masses of 5000 m2 for a total of 8000 rose bushes, plus three new entries for a better flow of visitors, and will be open 24h/24h for everybody’s enjoyment. A wall of water 50 m long has been installed in the center of the garden becoming a balcony among the rose bushes. The old bronze fountain of the Place d’Arms found a perfect new home in the middle of the fragrant roses. In his brief presentation HSH Prince Albert said: “I am sure my mother would have surely loved to walk in this garden.”

A rose named after Princess Charlene

The 300 varieties of roses inhabiting this magic garden, are grouped under several themes: perfumed roses, climbing rose trees, roses belonging to the Grimaldi family, those nominated after Princes, Princesses and celebrities, collection or historical roses, Hall of Fame rose bushes, and many more. In the photos below you will appreciate the roses named after Grace of Monaco, Princess Caroline, Princess Albert II of Monaco, Yves Piaget as well as known celebrities. The newest addition was unveiled Saturday carrying the name of Princess Charlene, a rose to her image: feminine, elegant, soft spoken, passionate, compassionate and true to herself.

Piaget a passion for roses

Roses have marked Yves Piaget’s life as well as the history of his famous House, consistently nurturing its creations. Since the 1960’s this scintillating flower has inspired and enriched their watch and jewellery collections with its diamond-set golden petals. His passion for these delicate flowers was rewarded in 1982 when the winner of the Geneva International New Rose Competition, created by the famous rose breeder Meilland, was christened the “Yves Piaget rose”. For the love of roses and in tribute to the enchanting rose that has punctuated its history, Piaget proudly supported the project of enlargement and modernization of the Princess Grace Rose Garden for the enjoyment of present visitors and generations to come.

Garden Club of Monaco awards gala

That same evening was the Gala dinner of the 47th International Bouquets Contest organized by the Monaco Garden Club in the present of its President HRH Princess Caroline in the magnificent Salle Belle Epoque of the Hermitage Hotel. This year’s theme was appropriately selected as: “The Rose”. The Garden Club is a non-profit association created in 1968 by Princess Grace a lover of nature and particularly roses. Since 1982 HRH Princess of Hanover succeeded her in the Presidency developing its activities perpetuating the wish of her founder. For more information visit www.gardenclub-monaco.com

Photos by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha - Monaco Reporter