Informative Beauty

Informative Beauty

         The second garden that we went to in Florence was The Bardini Garden.Pic1 from google maps

         Here there was an organic design, English, to the path that allowed one to meander slowly through the different elevations to the spaces created at the bends of the garden path. Ultimately, each space was its own filled with sculptures, plants and or unique environmental additions to take advantage of its location. A serpent slithering type of wiggling path allowed for different borrowed scenery and perspectives for one to explore, learn and observe. Picture1 shows the direction that the Bardini Gardens borrowed views from within the garden. The first space that we chose to analyze was a Renascence design, very symmetrical and informative, boxy. The design of the beds were not specifically for vertical height or yearlong enjoyment but for informing the viewer of plants that are summer, autumn, spring and winter bloomers. Each bed was a specific seasons. The charts that are in the main path name and show the placement of all the plants shown, their botanical and common name as well as their season, as shown in my personal pictures 2,3,and 4. 

Pictures 2, 3 and 4

        I love the informative signs such as these that were found throughout the garden so that I could then look back and know what I saw. Prior to leaving for Italy I went to the Arboretum in Dallas and was blown away by the consistent labeling of the plants, finding new species and having the ability to clarify the types I like and would like to use in the future for Landscapes around the buildings I will be building as a future architect. 

        When continuing through the path we took to arrive at the charming Renascence garden we then observed roses and hydrangeas of varying colors that lead up to a few more labeled plants for the curious mind to find which turned toward a gorgeous pergola that basically allowed for more gorgeous hydrangeas on the ground to form the base of the walls and thick bougainvillea to fill the frame that is the pergola, making a barrel vault of colors for people to be shaded and make their way up to the villa and coffee shop/café. There one could enjoy a coffee and a view of Florence’s many famous churches, buildings and river and or take great panoramas and pictures. An example of this view is picture 5 and 6. The varietal movement of the entire garden allows for a very beautiful and unique view to the city of Florence, making the walk and all too likely heat very much worth it. I loved this garden because it was so informative and it really made a person feel like they were in one of the tourist free oasis locations of Florence. I do not know if this was due to the time of day or year that we went but it was quite, calm, beautiful and a place that I suggest everyone should visit when in Florence or wanting to design a garden of their own.

Picture5

Picture6