A Ginkgo Biloba is to be planted in the Contessa Casalini park in La Villa on Saturday and people are invited to attend. These trees are absolutely gorgeous, what a great addition to the park.

The lovely pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio are almost at the end. Some seem to be still flourishing while others have died. The weather has been strange to say the least.
I have begun planting yellow marigolds in the place of the dead pansies. They will all be planted over the next couple of weeks.
As usual, I will be returning to Australia in early June. If anyone is interested in helping to water the flowers when I leave please leave a message below.
Every year at this time Lucca celebrates the life of one of its patron saints, Saint Zita, who has her own space in San Frediano church.
The Anfiteatro is filled with flower displays and options to buy.
The piazza in fruit of San Frediano also has flower displays.
We thought it fitting to have coffee at Caffe Saint Zita.
The festival last for a couple more days, until 27th April. It is a colourful time in lovely Lucca.
This morning I planted the geraniums on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio. I was happy to see Bar Italia open for takeaway. The fresh food shop next door was open and busy. The pharmacy had a well spaced queue in front and the Tabacchi was open. Life is beginning to return to the piazza.
It was a beautiful spring morning.
I left the yellow pansies because they have some life left in them. With some luck they will last until the geraniums grow bigger.
We are enjoying some welcome rain today in Bagni di Lucca. It should help the local fire situation.
As much as we need the rain, a fine weekend would be welcome. The annual walk from Fornoli will happen this Sunday, 7th April.
You can begin in Fornoli and walk for 2 kilometres or more. The longest walk is 20 kilometres. Just roll up and register from 7.30am.
It is a lot of fun and there are refreshments provided along the way.
The wonderful garden event, Verdemura, is on again this week in Lucca. It begins on Friday at midday and continues Saturday and Sunday. It is held on the stunning wall of Lucca near the Santa Anna entrance.
I’m sure both events will be popular and well attended.
Spring has been odd this year, but finally everything is turning green. Frassino, or flowering ash trees don’t flower every year, but this year they are spectacular.
It is possible to see the beautiful white flowers dotted all over the hillsides around Bagni di Lucca.
It has been interesting to watch the developing leaves and flowers.
Spring is a delightful time to be in Tuscany.
The annual flower display in conjunction with the celebration for Saint Zita is on in Lucca right now.
As well as the display in front of the San Frediano church, the anfiteatro is full of gorgeous plants available for sale. It is a lovely time to be in the piazza.
The flowers will be in the anfiteatro until Friday this week.
Sculptures by artist Jimenez Deredia are being installed in various locations around Lucca. We found some beside the San Michele church and Piazza San Martino.
The art pieces will be on display until 10th September…plenty of time to find them.
Verdemura, the annual garden show started today on the wall of Lucca. It is in a new spot near Porta San Donato and Porta Santa Anna.
There were not quite as many plants as last year. I think this cold spring has held back plant growth. There is still plenty to see and buy and it was a glorious day…perfect for some time on the wall.
Of course there is also food…cheese, salumi and a happy face.
Verdemura continues tomorrow and Sunday. Entry is €6.