H O M E S
&
G A R D E N S
Spring to Life
By Sharon Kilby
Whilst many of us are enjoying the gentle warmth of the autumn sun here in Italy there is still much to be done in all areas of the Tuscan Garden. Olive picking season is here and this time of year is undoubtedly the busiest for most gardeners. The autumn harvest is finished and the list of outside jobs is pretty lengthy to say the least, however, one worthwhile task to address immediately is the planting of spring bulbs.
S
pring in Tuscany conjures up many different and inspiring images such as the classic field of poppies, but the most endearing view in my opinion is that of hillsides covered in vivid purple irises, bold vibrant swathes of colour, and typically Tuscan. In honour of this symbolic and historically important plant the region even boasts a garden dedicated to the Iris. The Giardino dell’Iris is a botanical garden specialising in the cultivation of iris flowers, the recognisable symbol of Florence since 1251. This stunning garden is located on the corner of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo and is almost entirely devoted to iris plants, with more than 1,500 varieties on display during its annual competition.
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Iris reticulata are superb early flowering bulbs for spring colour. They are compact, so ideal for containers, usually about 10-15cm tall with large, tall flowering stems. You can also plant them direct into the ground to give splashes of brightness and colour. Plant them deep to get the best results and ensure a succession of flower for subsequent years. Plants range in size from the tiny Iris danfordiae which is perfect for craggy or rocky gardens to the more showy gladioli, which works well amidst flowering borders giving height and colour. Alliums thrive in this region and can give a blanket effect within informal gardens, banks, hedges and woodland areas. For height and formality regal lilies can produce highly scented
flowers on stems up to 1.8m (6ft) in height. Lawns or more natural spaces adorned with crocuses or snake’s-head fritillaries (Fritillaria meleagris) give a relaxed feel mimicking a wild habitat whilst providing early colour in the spring. One of the most covetable crocuses is of course the Saffron Crocus ‘Crocus sativus’ which has played a vital part in many cultures throughout the ages. As a perfume, saffron was strewn in Greek and Roman halls and the streets of Rome were sprinkled with saffron when Nero made his entry into the city. During the Renaissance, Venice was the most important commercial centre for saffron and during that time saffron was worth its weight in gold, and today it is still considered the most