Tuscany is home to some of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Italy, designed for some of the most influential residents of the region. It is the perfect way to discover the rich history of Tuscany, exploring a wide variety centuries old art and local nature. Here are just a few of our favourites...
Six glorious Tuscan gardens
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Iris Garden, Florence
Established in 1954, the Iris Garden is located next to Piazzale Michelangelo and managed by the non-profit Italian Iris Society. This enchanting garden, the sole of its kind globally, hosts an annual International Competition showcasing around 10,000 varieties of hybrid bearded irises from across the globe, culminating in a grand ceremony at Palazzo Vecchio.
For over a millennium, the iris has symbolised Florence, adorning the city's emblem, though debates persist regarding its identity as a lily. The garden is a must-visit from late April to May, nestled amidst one of Florence's most breathtaking vistas, offering a kaleidoscopic display of numerous ancient, rare, and safeguarded iris varieties.
Address: Viale Michelangelo, 82 and Viale G. Poggi, 3/C – 50125 Florence
Phone: +39 055 483112
Web: www.societaitalianairis.com
Rose Garden, FlorenceDesigned by architect Giuseppe Poggi in 1865 to celebrate Florence becoming Italy’s capital, the Rose Garden has 400 varieties of roses. Located in Viale Giuseppe Poggi, just below Piazzale Michelangelo, visitors can take advantage of the stunning views over the historic UNESCO Heritage Site.
In recent years, the garden has had art added for visitors to explore, including ten bronze sculptures, two gesso sculptures and a Japanese Shorai oasis. Yet it’s the roses that are its true glory. Come in May for romantic flowering blooms framing tableaux of the city.
Address: Giardino delle Rose
Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Photo: REDA/AlamyGarden of Villa Bardini, Florence
Perched on a picturesque hillside, between Costa San Giorgio and Borgo San Niccolò, lies the Garden of Villa Bardini. The garden comprises three distinct sections: the Italian Garden, the English forest, and the agricultural park, each a testament to a different era and style, offering a journey through time.
The garden also adorns two hundred sculptures, thirteen ornate fountains, three captivating caves, a mesmerising fountain wall and a botanical treasure trove featuring ancient trees alongside diverse plant collections. Among its historic features are orchards housing venerable fruit trees—apple, pear, and plum—interspersed with woodland, all accentuated by a magnificent Baroque staircase.
April heralds the arrival of vibrant irises, while June unveils the splendour of 60 hydrangea varieties in full bloom. Not to be missed is the renowned pergola, adorned with cascading wisteria, casting a spellbinding spectacle throughout April and May.
There is a charge to enter the garden
Address: Costa San Giorgio 2
Phone: +39 055 2638599 / +39 055 2346988
Web: www.villabardini.it
Photo: Hemis/AlamyVilla Poggio Torselli, San Casciano Val di Pesa
Sitting in the ground of Poggio Torselli, this Italian Renaissance Garden's original design, dating back to Corsini Orlandini, one of Tuscany's most influential families during the Renaissance period, is a testament to timeless elegance. The garden, home to thirty year-round blooming varieties and boasting a diverse array of fifty botanical species, spans two terraces interconnected by a majestic central staircase. Complementing the Italian garden, Poggio Torselli boasts a rare collection of over 130 citrus trees.
Transport yourself back in time as you wander through laurel-hedged pathways, enveloped in the fragrances of centuries-old citrus trees, roses, and aromatic herbs. Plan your visit in April to witness the enchanting spectacle of blooming hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips, adding vibrant splashes of colour to this timeless landscape.
Address: Via Scopeti 10
Phone: +39 055 8290241
Web: www.poggiotorselli.it
Garden of Villa Garzoni, Collodi
The Garden of Villa Garzoni is an example of post-Renaissance Italian beauty, which served as a muse for gardens like those found at the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Wilhelmshöhe Palace. Renowned as one of the finest illustrations of an 18th-century Tuscan garden, it showcases characteristic geometric layouts, grand staircases, and captivating water features.
The garden boasts a sophisticated hydraulic system intricately woven throughout its structure, nourishing the water features, cascading waterfalls, and elegant fountains. Amongst the lush greenery, symbols and statues fill the landscape, enriching the ambience with timeless allure. The garden is also home to a captivating maze, recommended for engaged couples where it's believed that walking through ensures long-lasting marriage and romance. Adding to the enchantment is the Collodi Butterfly House, a haven teeming with hundreds of vibrant butterflies.
There is a charge to enter the garden
Address: Piazza della Vittoria n. 1 – 51012, Collodi (Pescia – Pt) Italy
Tel: (+39) 0572 427314
Web: https://www.pinocchio.it/it/lo-storico-giardino-garzoni
Photo: Art Kowalsky/AlamyGarden of Villa La Foce, Siena
The Garden of La Foce, considered one of Italy’s most beautiful private gardens, was created to expand the vista over the Val d'Orcia Valley and Mount Amiata. British architect Cecil Pinsent undertook the task, commissioned by Marquess Antonio Origo and his Anglo-American wife Iris, to fashion a garden for their residence between 1924 and 1939. This garden holds a significant testament to 20th-century architectural and horticultural prowess, echoing Renaissance principles through its structured geometries while embracing a more organic aesthetic within the woodland surrounds.
Ascending travertine steps unveil the rose garden, embraced by a serpentine wisteria-clad pergola adorned by a fragrant lavender hedge. Gradually ascending terraces adorn the hillside, where cherry trees, pines, and cypresses intermingle with untamed broom, thyme, and rosemary, culminating in a majestic cypress avenue leading to a 17th-century stone statue.
There is a charge to enter the garden.
Address: Strada della Vittoria 61
Tel: +39 0578 69101
Web: https://www.lafoce.com/en/garden
