Roses are in bloom. Greek legend has it that the rose was created by Aphrodite, the goddess of love, from her tears and the blood of Adonis, the god of beauty and desire (and her lover). The truth is more mundane.
The rose apparently has been developed into one of the world’s most loved and varied flowers by eons of competitive growers and exhibitors. They continue to create species and give them marketable (and trademarked) names. The rose in this image is an Italian Ice® rose. (Brooklin, Maine)