Posted by: Debra Kolkka | July 1, 2016

What a difference a year makes

Last year at Casa Debbio we decided to plant a new garden on the terrace below the house. We had some pine trees removed, which has allowed a walnut tree and a fig tree to get more light and space, and gave us a new area to plant.

Casa Debbio

This is what the new terrace looked like at the end of spring last year.

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Here is what it looked like at the end of spring this year.

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

We are absolutely delighted with the results. Weeks of rain may have ruined the roses and geraniums, but it certainly made everything grow. Last spring was quite dry and I spent hours every other day watering the new plants. This year I didn’t have to do it at all.

The garden behind the house is growing well too, the peonies and hydrangeas have done very well.

Casa Debbio

Watching the garden for a whole year is amazing.

Here is the entrance to the house in February.

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Here it is in early spring.

Casa Debbio

…late spring.

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

 

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

 

Casa Debbio

Casa Debbio

 

Casa Debbio

The terrace in front of the house is looking good with the new pergola.

Casa Debbio

I can’t wait to see what happens next year. We are going to plant lavender all along the road up to the house. I think it will look great.

We have left the garden in Filippo’s capable hands until we return. He takes great care of everything as well as meeting our visitors and introducing them to Casa Debbio.

There are still a couple of weeks available for rent at Casa Debbio this summer…tell your friends.


Responses

  1. Deb the photos of your house and garden are divine, your passion for it shines through. I’m back to Italy next week for a month.

    • We are thrilled with the growth this year. The incessant rain did some good…and the hard work.

  2. Lots of work but it is looking great!

    • Creating a garden is hard work, but very rewarding.

  3. Marvellous!

  4. It’s looking superb, Debra. Well done. 🙂

    • Thank you, the hard work by a team of people has paid off.

  5. Fabulous Debra. Lots of work and great results! 🙂

    • Thank you, building a garden has been fun. The whole property was covered with brambles when we start it.

  6. Absolutely gorgeous!!

    • We are delighted with the growth in the garden this year…can’t wait for next spring.

  7. Wow. What an amazing transformation.

    • If you go back to the beginning to the pile of rocks we started with the transformation is remarkable.

  8. And smell great

    • We have about 200 lavender plants…yes the smell is divine.

  9. Complimenti! It’s amazing how you turned it around so quickly – really beautiful!

    • Grazie. We began work in the garden 3 years ago. It is doing very well.

  10. Looks (and is) awesome…was lucky enough to have lunch one day. Would be incredible for holiday.

    • You will have to come back and see the changes.

  11. Looking forwards to your invite,

    • We have a date for lunch in September or October.

  12. Casa Debbio is the most beautiful house. The more I see it the more I love it. I feel so honored to have been to it.

    • Thank you for your lovely comment. We are happy with Casa Debbio.

  13. Congratulations on making such a beautiful garden Deb. Looks superb

    • There is much more work to do, but we are excited about the next stage.

  14. You have performed a wonderful transformation.

    • The hard work is really paying off now. We can see the results of what we have done. I love it.

  15. It is looking so beautiful Deb. Isn’t it wonderful to see how nature changes everything as the seasons come and go. I am going to reblog this….you just never know who might be looking for somewhere peaceful for a holiday.

    • Thanks for the reblog. We are delighted with the garden this year…can’t wait for next spring.

  16. Reblogged this on Margaret River & Beyond and commented:
    Our friends Debra and Jim own this beautiful house in Italy. It is available for rent if you are looking for somewhere peaceful in Tuscany to spend some time.

    • Thanks for the reblog. We would love to welcome more people to Casa Debbio.

  17. What beautiful gardens. You have a green thumb!

    • …a newly discovered green thumb. This is the first time I have built a garden.

  18. really very spectacular!!! what a retreat. fantastic job!!! George M.

    • We think it is the perfect spot for a quiet, relaxing holiday.

  19. Looks fabulous, can’t wait to see it. Liz and Alan are taking us up on Tuesday.

    • That’s great. If Filippo is there he will have a key for the house.

  20. Amazing Debra! I so love watching your gardens at Casa Debbio! I would love to rent it someday. I feel like I know it after following your blog for so many years!

    • It has been an interesting journey. I can’t believe it when I look back to old photos.

  21. Holy Hannah!!

    • You must come up when I return in September

  22. Thanks Deb for the opportunity to see Casa Debbio it is beautiful and you just stare in amazement at the mountains all around and the music coming from the valley. The flowers are in full bloom and so much lavender. We picked some for the apartment. Just a wonderful day.

    • I am pleased Sisto played his music for you. I love it when he plays Tango music.

  23. It is amazing how much the garden has changed in one year and also how different it is month to month. Just lovely.

    • For me it is amazing. I come from subtropical Brisbane where there is little difference between seasons. I love to get up early every morning and dash outside to see what has grown overnight. We are delighted to see how well our garden has grown this year.


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