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The unique flower that represents decades of friendship and understanding between Rockville and its sister city of Pinneberg, Germany, has never been planted in the city, as was planned when German florists cultivated it in 2007.

Despite city horticulturist Rob Orndorff's best efforts, the Rockville Rose, cultivated in Pinneberg as a symbol of the two cities' friendship and in honor of the 53-year-old sister city partnership, has never been allowed into the country due to United States Department of Agriculture regulations. The USDA monitors the entry of new plant species, and the Rockville Rose was not approved.

Still, members of a 12-person delegation visiting from Pinneberg today made clear that what the rose stands for is as strong as ever — the bond the cities share. The delegation was in the city to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Rockville's incorporation and the 25th anniversary of the Rockville Sister City Corporation. The corporation was formed to facilitate the ongoing sister cities' partnership.

The rose has red petals, dark green leaves and stands tall, said Bernd Hinrichs, the president of the sister city corporation's German counterpart.

Orndorff has been frustrated that he's been unable to bring home the rose for Rockville residents. He tried to find a nursery in the United States that could recreate the rose, but was unable. He then tried to find a garden that might have a similar rose in its collection, to no avail. Recently he found a Canadian garden with the same hybrid, which will be planted in Rockville in April, he said.

"When I heard about the Rockville Rose and that they wanted to bring it here, I knew immediately what had to be done," Orndorff said.

In the meantime, Kristin Alheit presented Mayor Phyllis R. Marcuccio — the R. happens to stand for Rose — with a painting of the Rockville Rose by Pinneberg artist Detlef Allenberg. Alheit is the bürgermeisterin of Pinneberg, the German equivalent of mayor.

"Roses are living plants, and as all living plants are impermanent, today I bring you something permanent," Alheit said. "There is hardly any flower with such symbolic power like the rose. It has become the symbol of the relationship between our two cities."

Marcuccio echoed the sentiments of James McConkey, president of the Rockville Sister City Corporation, and several past presidents, saying Rockville's partnership with Pinneberg brings many cultural and educational opportunities to both cities, such as student exchange programs and civic artwork.

Pinneberg is known for its roses and gardens, Hinrichs said. He mentioned that throughout the relationship, several gifts of roses have found their way across the Atlantic. More than 210 were planted in 1958 in a community park in Rockville; 250 were planted in the Rockville Friendship Garden on the grounds of Rockville Civic Park; and 250 more are at City Hall.

"Assuming all those roses are still here, I wonder if there might be space for more," Hinrichs said.