Roses of Beautiful Baden bei Wien

Just 25 or so kilometers southwest of Vienna is the beautiful spa town of Baden. In the summers Baden hosts a rose festival, with some of the most fragrant roses I've smelled since childhood. It's always a delight to visit Baden, for the spas, the architecture, and most especially the roses.

On a woodland path not too far from the rose gardens, I came across this unusual plant spotlighted by a few rays of sun. It reminds me of stacked chopsticks or Oriental calligraphy or pipe cleaners.