Augusta Palatina is a new species of rose containing a genetic heritage passed down through the centuries and embodying the image of the roses described in ancient sources. It has been chosen to represent the rose garden of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum. The Palatine rose garden was created at the beginning of the last century by Giacomo Boni, a Venetian architect and archaeologist and a strong supporter of careful landscaping in archaeological areas. Boni believed that flowers and plants were important to repeat the ancient harmony between monuments and landscape and his Palatine rose garden was aimed at recreating the spirit of the erstwhile imperial gardens and the Renaissance-period Horti Farnesiani, which had later embellished the summit of this ancient hill.

Patrizia Fortini’s essay, beautifully illustrated by vintage photos, explores Boni’s extremely modern approach to using the press and media at the beginning of the 20th century; Massimo de Vico Fallani explains how Boni revitalised the gardens of Rome, while Luigi Gallo’s lavishly illustrated piece explores the rose in modern and contemporary art. Finally, Gabriella Strano, the landscape architect in charge of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, describes the renovated Palatine rose garden and its roses.