To celebrate the arrival of spring, the Biblioteca degli Alberi in Milan has been graced with a new rose garden, which now hosts the Rosa Mestieri d’Arte, a variety specially created by the Pistoian nursery, Rose Barni, for the Cologni Foundation. The scientist, farmer, and craftswoman responsible for bringing this unique variety to life—an eloquent metaphor for a delicate yet powerful world that transforms raw matter into beauty—is Beatrice Barni. A descendant of a family that has, for four generations, given birth to new expressions of beauty, she is also an expert in hybridization, a craft for which she was honored as a MAM (Master of Art and Crafts) in 2018. An undoubtedly unique and distinctive profession within the world of craftsmanship, of which Beatrice has unveiled some of its many secrets.
Hybridizing roses is a lesser-known craft. Could you briefly explain how it works?
Unlike vegetative propagation methods such as grafting or cuttings, hybridization is a sexual reproduction process: it is the only method that allows the creation of a new variety of rose through the combination of pollen from one variety with the female part (stigma) of another. In practice, humans replicate what insects or the wind already do in nature, but in a more targeted and specific way.
Shapes, colors, scents, resistance, adaptability, life cycle: what are the elements that can be influenced?
The rose is a highly heterogeneous genus, exhibiting variation in both aesthetic aspects (flower shape and color, diverse scent compositions) as well as vegetative characteristics (growth habit, type of foliage, presence or absence of thorns, and the formation of ornamental hips). Hybridization aims to select ever more interesting varieties, always prioritizing disease resistance and the ability to bloom throughout the season.
To what extent can the outcome be controlled?
There are guidelines, derived from experience and observation, that can be followed when seeking a particular trait. However, nothing is certain, and we often encounter surprises in the results.
Your family has been involved in floriculture since the late 19th century. How important is it to pass on knowledge in your craft?
The transmission of experience is one of the fundamental aspects of our work, as all the knowledge in both production and logistics stems from years of trials and experiments, responding to the most varied environmental conditions.
You create roses that do not exist in nature: do you consider yourself more of a farmer, scientist, artisan, or creator?
In our work, we must be eclectic and wear many hats simultaneously. I am fortunate to be able to experiment with various activities, which bring me into direct contact with nature, but also with many people.
You have dedicated roses to many famous names. Do you choose the characteristics of the rose based on the person, or do you let the rose inspire you to find a name?
In our hybridizing work, we often find ourselves looking for the right variety to dedicate to a famous person. However, there are also cases where the reverse happens, and it is important to find the appropriate name for a new hybrid, based on its defined characteristics.
In recent years, your work has received prestigious recognitions, such as the Talent du Luxe et de la Création award in France and the MAM – Master of Art and Crafts award in Italy. What are the next challenges?
Rather than speaking of challenges, I would prefer to highlight the persistence and curiosity involved in discovering and experimenting with what nature has in store. The world of roses is incredibly fascinating and ever-evolving. My grandfather used to say that the perfect rose is the one that has yet to come.
Rose Barni
Via del Casello, 5
Pistoia
+39 0573 380464
info@rosebarni.it
www.rosebarni.it