Volčji Potok - An exhibition of roses from all European Union member states has opened in the Arboretum Volčji Potok botanical gardens to mark the Slovenian presidency of the Council of the EU and present rose growing culture as an integrating element in the EU.

Entitled the EU in Roses, the exhibition comes upon an initiative of the Culture Ministry. It will run until 31 October.

The existing display of roses in the botanical gardens, located some 15 kilometres north of Ljubljana, has been extended with rose varieties grown in other EU member states in cooperation with expert associations from these countries.

"The exhibition of roses highlights the importance of the integrating role of gardening culture and its roots, which go back deep into the common history of the EU member states," the organisers have said.

They added that the love of roses connects all EU member states, from the Scandinavian countries to the islands in the southern Mediterranean Sea.

The exhibited rose varieties are marked with national flags, and they also bear QR codes, which provide visitors with information about the displayed flowers - variety, country of origin and details about growing.

Visitors will be also taken into the world of roses with a booklet about the exhibition, which is printed both in Slovenian and English.