Our Italian Botanical Geek Tour continues with a changing
cast of characters, some not so garden oriented, so the Phactors soldiered on
to visit the Giardino Boboli and Giardino Bardini, which are right next to each
other, almost. Both gardens are of the
formal nature, and in places both provide panoramic views of Florence,
especially Bardini. Giardino Boboli is
the formal gardens behind the Palazzo Pitti.
From the Palazzo entry, the Boboli is all up, and fairly steep; it has a
amphitheater and quite a bit of statuary, but botanically it’s pretty
dull. At the top the garden ends sort of
surrounding the Belvedere Fortress, and if you walk around the fort, and down
just a bit, there is the entrance to the Bardini. It’s also steep and mostly up
hill having been an agricultural area just inside the old city walls where the
steep terrain probably saved it from development. Some areas are still terraced
orchards whose trees are espaliered onto stout fences. A slanted pergola walk is
covered by some big old wisterias. Other gardens and lawns have spring
flowering shrubs, so a bit quiet in August. The views of the city are quite
nice, and it was a clear, not too hot day; no city haze! At the very top is a
coffee shop for a bit of rest and fortification. The image is a formal part of
the Giardino Bardini, looking up the main stair case. The exercise was needed
to make room for gelato (peanut butter and an outstanding passion fruit). Florence as seen from the coffee shop at the top of all those stairs.
1 comment:
So gorgeous of a photo and lawn. It is restful to the eye. I do lawn care for a living.
here is my lawn care page. I'm in Calgary, AB.
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