Italian Gardens

AJ: Driving through the Italian country side there are several things among the landscape that you will notice.  First is the classic Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) stretching long and lean to the heavens.  Second are the stone pines (Pinus pinea) that dot the horizon.  And the last are the vast spreading gardens filled with green, lush vegetables, fruit trees covered in sweet ripening fruits, olive trees with fragrant blooms, and grape vines spreading across fence lines.  These gardens are seen all over Tuscany.  They carry the classic vegetable choices of every garden: tomatoes, onions, beans, potatoes, etc.  But, they carry many choices that Americans don’t always see and grow, including artichokes and garlic.  They have trees that span from olive trees to pots full of citrus.  They often take up a large portion of the yard and have an amazing aesthetic appeal to them even though they planted for practical uses. I am so inspired by these gardens.  I cannot wait until next spring to fill my own garden with these amazing finds!