The pansies on the bridge haven’t been the best this year. They are nowhere as good as those from last year. I have no idea why, perhaps the weather didn’t suit them.
In about a week I will take them out and replace them with geraniums for the summer. Let’s hope they do better.
Take a last look at the 2016 pansies.
Anyone who would like to help water them over the summer please let me know.
It wasn’t great weather for the first day of Verde Mura, the garden show on the wall of Lucca, but it didn’t stop the crowds.
We went in search of peonies and hydrangeas for our mountain house, but it also fun to wander to see all the gorgeous plants on offer.
There are other things to see and buy too, not all garden related.
It wouldn’t be an exhibition without food.
Verdemura is on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of April as well. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. http://www.verdemura.it
We found peonies, georgeous hydrangeas, aquilegias, daphne, and some acanthus…which will all be planted today.
Between rain showers I planted the pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.
It is raining heavily today…I hope the poor little things don’t drown.
I chose the smaller flowers this year as they put on a great show last year. Here is a reminder of what they will look like soon if the weather cooperates.
We are now heading back home to Brisbane for a few months to enjoy our lovely winter.
It it is always difficult to leave Bagni di Lucca, especially now when it is looking so beautiful.
The Tiglio trees have their blossoms and walking under one is a delight, the smell is heavenly. Don’t park you car under one however, they leave a sticky mess.
Our petunias are looking great.
Tina’s roses are flourishing.
My window boxes are doing well.
Big white magnolias are everywhere.
The geraniums on the bridge are growing slowly.
There are early morning fishermen in the river.
I have a couple of helpers this year to keep me up to date on happenings in Bagni di Lucca and I have lots of photos to share with you while I am away.
If any of you are passing the flowers on the bridge or the hanging pots, stick your finger in the dirt and if it is dry grab a water bottle, fill it up (there is a tap beside Bar Italia, or the tap at Cova, near the walking bridge) and water the plants…they will love you for it.
Our little garden group at Ponte a Serraglio has purchased 10 new hanging pots for the lamp posts along the street beside the river. We have planted petunias. I hope they do well.
We are always interested in help to water the plants on the bridge and now in the hanging pots. I am not here in summer, so it is up to others to keep the plants alive and thriving…and Ponte a Serraglio looking beautiful.
If you walk past and see them looking droopy, grab a bottle and give them some water. We are working on having a a tap beside the bridge. I will let you know about that one.
The pots we planted at Villa Fiori are doing well. I replaced the stolen lavender and it will soon catch up to its mates.
The pansies on the bridge in front of my apartment at Ponte a Serraglio this year have put on a fabulous show. We have had little rain or wind since they were planted and they have thrived.
They were still looking great, but they won’t last through the summer and it is now time to plant the geraniums.
This year I have had help to plant the flowers on the bridge. It has been great. There are lots of pots and dragging the bags of soil, carrying the plants and digging up the old ones takes time, so having 2 helpers made a big difference. Thank you Paul and Sheila.
Paul also cleaned out and replanted the large pots beside Villa Fiori. (Somebody pinched one of the lavender plants almost immediately, which is a bit disappointing).
We are now thinking of buying some new hanging pots for the lampposts along the river and planting more geraniums. There is a reasonable amount of expense involved in this, so if anyone would like to contribute it would be appreciated. Please email me at debrakolkka@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.
I came upon this abandoned garden where bluebells have taken over…lovely. They can take over my garden any time they like.
Every year, on a day in April, Borgo a Mozzano’s streets are filled with azaleas…a great time to visit this quaint nearby town. It wasn’t the best day with overcast skies and threatening rain, but I went anyway.
There were displays in the streets.
…lots of flowers for sale. Some of the rhododendrons will be living under the hazelnut trees at Casa Debbio.
Of course there was food for sale.
…and other things to buy.
The pool and surrounds in Borgo are looking great.
The pruned trees on the main street are springing to life.
On the way home I stopped on the Borgo side of the river for a different view of the Ponte della Maddelena. Even on an overcast day the bridge looks great.
This annual garden show is on in Lucca right now. It started today and continues tomorrow, Saturday 5th April and Sunday 6th April. If you love looking at beautiful plants this is the place to be.
I went today and the rain cleared just as the gates opened. I was one of the first in, so I had the place almost to myself. Come for a little wander with me.
My first stop was this stand with metal ornaments for your garden. I love their birds.
There was an endless variety of beautiful plants.
Of course there was food.
…and lots of other things I had no idea I needed, until I saw them.
If you are close to Lucca this weekend you shouldn’t miss this event.
The magnolia trees are in flower right now in Bagni di Lucca. The season is almost over and green leaves are beginning to take the place of the blooms.
There is a huge tree in Fornoli.
…another at Villa Fiori.
…and more in the park in La Villa. You can see the flowers fading and the leaves forming here.
My favourite one of all is the one behind the English church in La Villa.
What a pity we have to wait until next year for it all to happen again.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 