Gardens of Italy

Italy is best known for its vineyards, rolling hills and especially its gardens. As an artist, I can appreciate the time and effort that is put into any sort of gardening, but we must note that the Italian gardens are not centered around just the flora. Instead, it is a collection of plants that bring out the vast architecture and sculptural pieces found at the heart of the gardens.

Shown above are the well known "Giardini di Boboli" found in Florence. These gardens capture the attention of tourists, and draw them into the luscious landscape of freshly cut grass and perfectly trimmed bushes.

The ornate design of Italian gardens such as these are beautiful, yet I am partial to a different aesthetic. When stepping into a garden such as these, I get this overwhelming feeling that perhaps I am not welcome in this environment, that I am just an unwanted spectator. This may be due to the mere fact that most of these gardens were designed for royalty, and were designed to be large in order to exhibit the wealth and power these family possessed.

I, personally, much prefer the English gardens, as I find they have a more intimate feel. For example, just looking at Tresco Abbey's Gardens shown below. You will notice that it has a more relaxed look, perhaps inviting even.

Just by looking at this picture I get the sense of imperfection and yet beautiful harmony. Curling up with a book or simply listening to the birds chirping in a garden such as this, for me, is a heavenly experience.

Though the Italian gardens tend to be much more praised and admired, the next time you find yourself in England, I encourage you to seek out one of their gardens and record your emotional experience.