Hangzhou's overpass roses. [Photo/WeChat account: duchenghz]

The vibrant roses adorning Hangzhou's overpasses trace their roots to Yuhang district's Shuanglian village, which hosts the Hangzhou Luqiao Group's rose base, supplying over 80 percent of the roses for the city's overpasses.

Covering about 24 acres, the rose base boasts over 30,000 pots of roses and 200,000 container seedlings, featuring 15 main varieties for the overpasses. Currently, varieties like Ruby Ice, Carte d'Or, West Lake Red, and Deep Red Flower Room are in full bloom, blooming about a week later than those on the overpasses due to temperature differences.

The base is divided into sections for cutting seedlings, container seedlings, and finished plants. It takes three years for a rose to become suitable for the overpasses, progressing from cuttings to potted, shaped plants. Six greenhouses, each with 20,000 cuttings, nurture the seedlings under controlled conditions before they are moved to containers and later larger pots.

During summer, intensive watering and pest control are essential. Three caretakers manage daily tasks, while a professional team maintains the overpass roses, ensuring they remain vibrant year-round.

A rose base in Shuanglian village, Yuhang district. [Photo/WeChat account: duchenghz]