What will roses be like in 20, 50, 100 years? Blue? Glowing in the dark? With a fragrance that can be transmitted via Wi-Fi? Today, breeders, biotechnologists, and designers are working to transform the "queen of flowers" into more than just a beautiful bloom. The roses of the future are a response to the challenges of climate change, urbanization, and even human psychology. Let's take a peek into the garden of tomorrow. Genetic Engineering: Roses without Thorns, with Unbelievable Colors Already, scientists are editing the genes of roses using CRISPR/Cas9. The first commercially available thornless varieties are expected to appear by 2030. This doesn't mean roses will be defenseless — their resistance to pests will be increased through built-in "pesticidal" genes (harmless to humans). Also, experiments are being conducted to create a true blue rose (not dyed). In 2026, Japanese biologists presented a transgenic rose that produces delphinidin (a blue pigment). Although the color was grayish-purple, the breakthrough is close. It is expected that by 2035, there will be black roses with a velvet sheen and roses with a shimmering, butterfly-like color. Roses Resistant to Drought and Heat Global warming is changing the growing zones of roses. Traditional varieties suffer from 40-degree heat. Breeders are crossing Rosa rugosa and other wild species to create drought-resistant hybrids. In Australia, a series called "Dry Rose" has already been developed, requiring watering once every two weeks. In California, roses with a waxy coating on the leaves, reducing evaporation, are being tested. The roses of the future will be able to grow in the midday desert, bringing color where only cacti now thrive. The Future of Scents: Adjustable Scent Imagine a rose whose scent changes at your wish. The British startup "AromaGen" inserts genes from lavender, jasmine, or vanilla into the plant. With a special spray trigger, you can "turn on" one scent or another. The technology is currently ... Read more