Gardens Of The World With Audrey Hepburn: Roses And Rose Gardens

The late Audrey Hepburn hosts this lovely look at some of the most beautiful gardens of the world. We watched the first of six episodes, Rose and Rose Gardens, which traces the history of the rose from it's first mention circa 600 B.C. to the explosion of varieties available today. Along the way some interesting tidbits are passed on, such as the fact that the phrase sub rosa came about because of an early practice in which a rose was hung from the ceiling during a secret meeting, or that the rather odd term "stud roses" does indeed refer to roses meant for breeding. The centerpiece of the film is a visit with noted rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas who takes viewers on a short tour of the renowned La Roseraie del l'Hays les Roses, a truly resplendent garden featuring over 3,200 varieties of rose, located just south of Paris. Actor Michael York narrates the series. The five other titles are Tulips and Spring Bulbs, Formal Gardens, Flowers and Flower Gardens, Country Gardens, and Public Gardens and Trees. Originally shown on PBS, the companion book to the series is entitled Gardens of the World: The Art and Practice of Gardens. Sure to be a very popular series, Gardens of the World is highly recommended. (Available from: Perennial Productions, Inc., 36 West Colorado Blvd., Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91105; (818) 405-9475.)