This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Italian gardens part 2 (long)

Many thanks to all the friends who wrote me nice words about the first part
of this list. I've just arrived from a week-end out in Tuscany to visit a
Camellia exhibition. Gosh! Huge tree-like plants, 100 or more years
old...for a med.climate, clay-grower gardener like me that is really a dream...
So, I am ready to  jump with my list in the middle of Italy and bring you to
Tuscany, where I am going to propose some very famous places and a couple of
unknown treasures. 

Florence.

Giardino di Boboli, in town. Built in 1550 by the architect Tribolo for the
Medici family (rulers of Florence), has been  restored in recent years
(still is). Some famous views (a cypress avenue), topiary, statues, grottoes
etc. Somewhat impersonal, court-like style of gardening. Camellias (in
March) and citruses (the latter being a typical feature of all Tuscany
gardens). The palace, Palazzo Pitti,  is a world known museum. One of the
mandatory stops in Florence, worth it.

Giardino degli Iris (literally, Iris gardens) 
Very close to piazzale Michelangelo, where you get the best Panorama, or
view, to Florence, this little garden opens only in May for the
international Iris competition (they are looking for a perfect red iris,
which is the symbol of Florence). Irises and climbing roses grow among
olives, with breathtaking views of the city. A jewel.

On the hills outside the city, among the many gardens, I suggest the following: 

Villa di Castello, at the little village Castello. Same architect as Boboli,
same owners, the Medici.   Fountains, statues, etc., AND a collection of 500
citruses, of the most unknown varieties, grown in wonderful terracotta pots.
Did you know that in Tuscany there is a century old tradition of terracotta
manufacture? The best pots (expensive) are produced in Impruneta, but
normally you can find very good items in markets and shops.

Villa Gamberaia, at Settignano. Spectacular formal garden, with a water
parterre that was created  at the beginning of this century, adding charm
and magic.  Open every day, on Sundays only upon  booking (Tel 055/697205).

Villa La Petraia, at Castello. Again a Medici garden, with a lovely
"hanging" formal garden and statues. 

There are hundreds of other Villa around Florence, but if you are short of
time you'd better head to Lucca and visit that lovely town and its wonderful
gardens!

Lucca

Villa Reale at Marlia, 8 km from town. Formerly XVII century gardens of the
family Orsetti, it became property of Napoleon's sister, who was Duchess of
Lucca at the beginning of 1800. Famous, wonderful "green theater" and
romantic style park, with lake and streams, created in our century by French
landsc. arch. J. Greber

Villa Torrigiani at Camigliano, 12 km from Lucca. A xvi century  building
was transformed in a Versailles style villa and garden around 1670 by an
owner, who was Ambassador in Paris at Luis 14th time. Someone thinks it has
been  Le Notre himself to have designed the really magnificent water garden.

Villa Garzoni, closer to Pistoia, has a spectacular, wonderful garden with
fountains, statues, mazes and all the other features you would expect in a
garden "All'Italiana" (italian style). Not to be missed. 

I also strongly recommend, if you happen to go to Tuscany, to visit the
Siena area. There are some interesting gardens there, as well, but mostly
the countryside   is unforgettable, and something that every gardener should
see. In fact it is the result of a wonderful hilly natural landscape and
centuries of human labour. Every hill is lined with Cupressus semprvirens
"Italica" and the sunnier sides are covered with Chianti vineyards and
olives. Irises flourish on the top of dry walls with sedums and anemonies,
alliums and Ranunculus ficaria. The villages are wonderful and catering
delicious!

A totally  unknown jewel for late May and June visits is the Rose garden at
Cavriglia, a little village in the Arezzo area, not far from the Motorway
A.1, exit Valdarno. It is an astonishing private collection of roses, I
gather the most complete in Europe, set in such an unassuming position you
simply can't believe it. Far from the noises of modern life, no fences or
hedges, just roses rising up along the country lane you are walking on.
There is almost no desing, the roses are grown in rows, among straight
gravel paths, but is such the interest of the collection (David Austin took
some photos for his books here), and the peace and charm of the place, that
I strongly suggest a visit.

O.K., this is the end of part 2. Next time, Rome, my country, city of the soul! 

 
Alessandra Vinciguerra
American Academy in Rome
Via Masina,5
00153 Roma
Tel:0039\6\5846.444
library@librs6k.vatlib.it
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index