Garden Travel .. Venice, Italy

My travels in Italy continue ... 

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Gardone, Italy - André Heller Botanic Garden

An entrancing surprise during my sojourn in Northern Italy:

After an early-morning ferry across Lake Garda from my hotel in Bardolino, on the eastern side, I set my sights on the lovely town of Gardone Riviera. 

Strolling up the hill from the waterfront, I dodged raindrops in anticipation of my

visit to the André Heller Botanic Garden.

The Keith Haring sculpture is one of the iconic installations among countless artworks in the garden,

set amidst lavish plantings & paths enlivened by ebullient water features.

* Visit Alice's Garden Travel Buzz to read more. *

The magnificent Dolomites loom above the town of Riva del Garda,

located at the northern edge of the Lake Garda.

Turning Towards Torcello

One of the great surprises of my Italian sojourn:

Historic Torcello, barely populated, yet at one time, the beating heart of the Veneto.

Some 20 people now occupy this island in the Venetian lagoon where 10,000 or more once thrived. 

Wild meadows and fenced areas under cultivation caught my eye,

along with Ristorante Villa 600, where we stopped to sip an afternoon 'Spritz' in the peaceful gardens.

Ponte del diavolo / Photo: Wikipedia

The ancient bridge found on Torcello is a popular place for tourist shutterbugs to pose.

The only other bridge of its kind in the region is Ponte Chiodo,

leading directly to the door of the Ponte Chiodo Guest House, where I was welcomed upon arrival in Venice.

Buddleia Bliss! Miss Ruby Is A Stunner

Alice's Garden is a rather petite plot. 

Thankfully, I can expand upon the plants I insist upon cultivating by taking advantage of T's community garden.

At times, when a shipment of plants arrives to trial from Proven Winners - Color Choice shrubs, I'll choose to 'install' certain choice cultivars at T's veggie allotment - aka: our community garden plot, located about one mile from our house.

The community gardens are laid out in our town's parkland, where Buddleia 'Miss Ruby' has had plenty of room to flourish. Indeed, she stops folks in their tracks as they're strolling past.

While T. might be weeding or tending to the veggies, and cutting flowers he harvests for bouquets, he'll often hear someone call over the fence by the path, "What is that... a butterfly bush?"  Followed by, "it doesn't look like my buddleia!"

My 'Miss Ruby' butterfly bush is currently covered in long-stemmed blooms that beg to be admired. 

We do our part, dutifully oohing and aahing over the fragrant, deep toned ruby spires that I can't get enough of.

Paradise in Mill Valley: Don Worth Garden

The Garden Conservancy 'Open Days' Program in June of 2012

featured a Marin County garden created by Don Worth.

This magical Mill Valley paradise created by artist/photographer Don Worth was one of the gardens opening to the public, allowing for a rare opportunity to visit a unique West Coast landscape.

 I wrote an in-depth feature on the garden at: 

 Alice's Garden Travel Buzz:  Drop by to see a photo portfolio of the garden and learn more about Worth's exceptional vision.