The Italian gardens are some of the most beautiful sights to behold. There is the Italian Renaissance garden, a style that emerged in the late 15th century at villas in Rome and France. The style is an inspiration of the Italian traditional ideology of beauty. The landscape and view of the gardens are incredible. One can enjoy the sounds, smells, and sights of the landscapes.
The Top 10 Italian Gardens to Visit on your next trip
If you are a tourist interested in gardens, then your next stop should be Italy. Italy has got beautiful villa gardens that were inspired by designers for centuries. They are among the best gardens in the world. In Italy, they are among the top tourist attractions. Here are some of the top 10 Italian gardens to visit on your next trip:
1. Villa d’Este Gardens at Tivoli
The Villa d’Este Gardens at Tivoli represent the renaissance way of living from a cultural perspective. Villa d’Este gardens influenced most garden designs in Europe. They are the finest creations of the Giardini delle meraviglie. You will be amazed by the ambiance that is created by the mix of nature and lights.
2. Villa Lante
This is a classic terraced garden. It has been in existence since the 16th century. The Villa Lante is not like the usual Bella figura space. It is like a retreat that is built for a worldly cardinal.
3. Villa Carlotta, Tremezzo, Lake Como (Lombardy)
The Villa Carlotta is so spectacular because it faces the Bellagio Peninsula. It covers 70,000m2, which is 17 acres of the area in Tremezzo. It is a botanical garden with 800 species of trees. There are also 400 camelias, 200 roses, and 250 rhododendrons species.
4. Villa Taranto Gardens, Pallanza, Lake Maggiore
If you are visiting Italy for the first time, this is a must-visit place. These are botanical gardens that are situated on the western shores of Lake Maggiore in Pallanza. In the garden, you will find 20,000 varieties of plants; there are 3,000 species, including 300 types of dahlias. The plants are set in paths spanning as long as 7km. You do not want to miss this!
5. Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens, Merano
In the year 2005, Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens was voted as the most beautiful garden in Italy. It serves both as a leisure facility and a botanical garden. You will find 80 gardens of local plants that are arranged according to their place of origin. The landscapes include a Japanese alluvial forest, tea plantations, rice terraces, landscapes of South Tyrol, and water gardens.
6. Parco Teresio Olivelli, Tremezzo, Lake Como
The Parco Teresio Olivelli is a work of art, within itself! It has a layout of monumental stairs, a lake, beautiful trees, and a central fountain. It is definitely a sight to behold because of the architecture. Pietro designed this garden in Lingerie in the 1920s. It is evidence that shows how talented he was. He created it for the Meier family.
7. Isola Bella Gardens, Borromean Islands, Lake Maggiore
Isolla Bella is one of the most famous gardens in Italy. The garden was a gift to the wife of Carlo III, named Isabella D’Adda, and hence the name Isola Bella. The layout of the gardens is well-maintained and beautiful. You will enjoy the beautiful designs and statues when you visit them.
8. Giardini di Giusti, Verona
These are considered as one of the finest examples of Italian gardens. It was created in the 1400s, but Agostino Giust commissioned the layout in 1570. The gardens have statues scattered across the terraced gardens. The most spectacular feature of this garden is the villa that is located in the lower area.
9. Gardens of Ninfa (Oasi di Ninfa), Latina, Lazio
The Gardens of Ninfa are known to be the most romantic gardens in the world. You will get an extraordinary view of the garden when you visit, and perhaps, love may be ignited!
10. Roseto Botanico di Cavriglia “Carla Fineschi”, Cavriglia
It is one of the largest private rose gardens in the world. The Roseto Botanico is one of the gardens in Florence, Italy that preserves different species of flowers. It has 7000 unique cultivars that were thought to be extinct. All the plants are monitored and taken care of, and their records are meticulously kept.
Top Tips for Creating and Maintaining an Italian Garden
- Most Italian gardens are always green with very few flowers. They mainly consist of plants that are evergreen and trimmed into geometric hedges. For the hedges, you may need to have The Italian cypress (Cupressus Sempervirens), boxwoods (Buxus spp.), and junipers (Juniperus spp).
- For uniformity, use only 1 or 2 shades of flower colors. You may opt for bright red geraniums to contrast with the green.
Consider the following plants to achieve an Italian garden:
Buxus Sempervirens – is an evergreen shrub that grows at a slow pace. It has oval leaves.
Acanthus mollis – they are toothed with dark green leaves and flower spikes that turn white in summer.
Clematis Armandii – this is an evergreen climber with scented white flowers that are at the top of dark green foliage.
Cupressus sempervirens – this is the Italian cypress. It is a dark green tree that is also evergreen.
Viburnum Tinus (Laurustinus) – it is a bushy evergreen shrub with dark green, ovate leaves.
Trachelospermum Jasminoides (star jasmine) – it is an evergreen woody climber with dark green oval leaves.
Taxus Baccata (Yew) – is a bushy evergreen tree that is medium in size with dark green leaves and fleshy red fruits.
Santolina (Cotton Lavender) – is a plant with flowers that look like buttons, and the texture is fine.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) – is an evergreen plant that grows very quickly. It is also aromatic.
Myrtus Communis (Myrtle) – it is a shrub with white flowers and shiny leaves.
Osmanthus Fragrans (Fragrant Olive) – an evergreen shrub with dark green leaves with white flowers that bloom throughout the year.
Pittosporum Tobira (Japanese Pittosporum) – is a broad and slow-growing evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and white flowers that turn yellow in early summer and late spring.
Daphne Mezereum (Daphne) – it is a plant with white and purple flowers in early spring.
Summary
To sum up, visit the Italian gardens when you tour Italy. Alternatively, why not create your own Italian garden wherever you are! You can still have an Italian garden in your home and enjoy the full experience.
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