In this area in the 90s three thematic flower beds were created, one dedicated to the divas of the cinema and the others to two rose growers who made the history of hybridization in Italy.
The first is Domenico Aicardi, born in Sanremo in 1878 and dead in 1964. Born into a family of nurserymen, first a producer of carnations like his father, following various trips abroad he studied the genetic improvement of plants and roses. At Villa Minerva on the hills of Sanremo, his "terrace of wonders" was the place where scholars from different nations shared passions and knowledge.
His book "Le Rose Moderne", published in 1932, will be the reference text for a modern approach to the study and production of roses.
In this flowerbed are some of its best-known varieties created between 1934 and 1956.
Among the most famous is “Eterna Giovinezza”, from 1937, an HT with large and full flowers, of an antique pink color suffused with salmon.
The second flowerbed is dedicated to Febo Giuseppe Cazzaniga (1903-1970). He started with his father nurseryman at the Ingegnoli Company, then set up his own business dedicating himself to the hybridization of roses, achieving great success. In 1937 he won the Gold Medal in Rome with "Aprilia", continuing with other famous roses such as "Valentina Cortese", floribunda and first prize in Monza in 1976, deserving international fame.
One of the most famous in this flowerbed is “Amica”, who participated in the First Monza Trials in 1965, winning the Gold Medal in HT category and the prize for the Most Beautiful Italian Rose. She has red, double, very fragrant flowers.
In this flowerbed there are many roses dedicated to the lady hostesses of the Monza Trials: “Laura Antonelli”, “Luciana Savignano” and “Sandra Mondaini”.
In the flowerbed named the Movie Stars, there are roses dedicated to “Jeanne Moreau”, “Fanny Ardant”, “Monica Bellucci”, “Catherine Deneuve”, “Brigitte Bardot”, “Gina Lollobrigida”. The “Laura Antonelli” rose by Febo Cazzaniga (also present in the flowerbed dedicated to him) won the Silver Medal in the 1988 Monza Trials and was dedicated to the actress hostess of that competition.
Gina Lollobrigida knew our Rose Garden very well, because in her passion as a professional photographer she often came to photograph the roses of Monza.
The “Catherine Deneuve” rose is a HT from Meilland, the most famous French hybridizer, and participated in the Monza Trials in 1979. It has very large, double, salmon pink flowers, slightly scented. It is an early bush, very reflowering and resistant to diseases.