Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
At QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, our rooftop terrace is a hidden retreat in the heart of Rome, and this November, it’s still bursting with color thanks to our surprisingly resilient roses. Despite our lack of a green thumb, these four supermarket-purchased rose plants—blooming in shades of white, red, and pink—seem to have truly “adopted” us. Today, halfway through November, they’re still thriving, reminding us of the unexpected beauty of simple, well-loved plants.
A Surprising Success with Potted Roses
Growing roses in pots, especially on a rooftop, can be challenging. Roses are known for their need for good soil, consistent watering, and protection from pests—all the things that a terrace gardener like us might not have time to focus on daily! Yet, these little roses have flourished, perhaps because they’ve found a special rhythm with our terrace environment.
One reason we believe our roses are doing particularly well this year is the basil and rosemary we planted nearby. It turns out that herbs like basil and rosemary can act as natural insect repellents. Their strong aromas help to keep pests away, creating a healthier microenvironment for our roses. This year, with these companions, our roses have been less troubled by the usual pests and have given us one of their most beautiful seasons yet.
Caring for Potted Roses: Tips We’re Learning Along the Way
While we may forget to care for them as much as we should, here are a few tips we’ve learned about caring for potted roses:
- Choose the Right Pot: Roses need deep pots to accommodate their roots. We recommend pots that are at least 40-50 cm deep to give them room to thrive.
- Well-Draining Soil: Roses prefer well-draining soil, which prevents their roots from becoming waterlogged. Using a mix of garden soil with a bit of sand can help maintain the right moisture balance.
- Regular, Moderate Watering: While roses need consistent watering, it’s important to avoid over-watering. In the cooler months, we water them less often but make sure they get a drink whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Companion Planting for Natural Protection: Our basil and rosemary experiment has shown us the benefits of planting herbs near roses. Their aromatic oils act as natural insect repellents, deterring pests like aphids and spider mites, which often trouble roses.
- Pruning in Early Spring: Pruning roses in early spring helps encourage new growth. We usually trim back any weak or old branches to give the plants space to bloom and grow stronger.
Our Beloved Roses as a Symbol of Resilience
The presence of these roses on our terrace has become a small yet cherished detail of QuodLibet’s atmosphere. They’re not just plants—they’re a testament to the beauty of simplicity and resilience. Despite our occasional neglect, these roses continue to flourish, adding color and life to the terrace and surprising our guests with their beauty.
If you’re visiting QuodLibet Bed and Breakfast, we invite you to enjoy our little floral display, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see these roses in bloom. In the meantime, we’ll continue to care for them as best we can, grateful for their resilience and the cheerful touch they bring to our terrace.
