As I have mentioned in other posts, spring was slow to arrive this year. Casa Debbio is in Vergemoli in the mountains of Garfagnana, an area where the Appenine and Apuan Alps meet. We are just over 600 metres above sea level.
When I arrived in late February winter weather was still with us. Here is the view of Vergemoli from Casa Debbio.
This weather continued all through March. It rained most days, with occasional hail and snow. These photos were taken on the few fine days. The only colour at Casa Debbio was in the form of our lovely daffodils.
I do like the wintery views around Casa Debbio.
Gradually, and several weeks late, things began to turn green.
Our garden began to grow and the rain persisted.
Our weeping cherry grew buds.
Our magnolia tree grew buds, but rain, hail and snow killed them and they all fell off.
The weeping cherry flowers lasted only a few days before the leaves began to appear.
Finally our lavender began to grow and the rosemary plants flowered. We have about 350 lavender plants and almost as many rosemary.
Our 60 peonies all survived the winter and grew quickly, some more than others.
Wisteria buds appeared.
…and the trees kept turning green
The little crop of daffodils that must have been planted many years ago made an appearance.
Violets appeared almost overnight.
Our cherry tree was covered with blossoms, but we have no bees this year so I wonder if we will get cherries.
The greening continued.
Peony buds grew, wisteria flowers grew and rhododendrons grew.
The ricotta plant produced flowers that start green and slowly turn cream.
Some of my beautiful peonies grew flowers. There are many more to come.
Bugs love peonies.
The quince tree is covered with blossom.
There are carpets of blue flowers under the trees.
The kiwi plants are thriving.
We should get figs this year.
Pretty little aquilegias are popping up everywhere.
Wild daisies are covering our terraces.
The Frassino, or flowering ash trees are magnificent this year.
This is the latest on the wisteria. We are hoping our 2 pergolas will be covered this year.
These are the latest views of the garden.
….and the views from the house.
Casa Debbio is available for rent this summer. Let me know if you know someone who is interested in a restful holiday in an authentic Italian mountain village.
Next summer we are looking for someone who would like to rent the house for all of summer. I think it would be the perfect base to stay, write a book, paint a landscape and make an occasional trip to one of the hundred or more tiny villages dotted around our Tuscan mountains. Please share this post with anyone you think may like to stay at Casa Debbio.
Beautiful pictures! I envy your beautiful pictures. We are nowhere near blooming in New York.
By: Joann Poserina on May 1, 2018
at 8:09 pm
Spring has been slow, but now everything is growing.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 1, 2018
at 8:28 pm
Loved the bulbs, and the cherry blossoms, but wonder where the bees are – no cherries, what a shame. Otherwise it looks like the perfect Villa garden.
By: Dianne Cant on May 1, 2018
at 8:25 pm
It seems that the winter was just to long and a lot of bees have died. I think they will eventually return, but too late for our cherries.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 1, 2018
at 8:29 pm
Debra I cannot decide which is my favorite flower. Thank you for the beautiful pictures.
By: Diane on May 1, 2018
at 8:29 pm
My favourite flowers are peonies. I am very happy that I can grow them at Casa Debbio.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 1, 2018
at 8:34 pm
This year the weather has been whimsical. Spring is very slow…
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 1, 2018
at 8:49 pm
Our olive trees have suffered from the cold. Some have completely shed their leaves. They seem to have a tiny bit of new growth, so I hope they will be OK.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 4:47 am
Lovely post Deb
By: Anonymous on May 1, 2018
at 9:31 pm
I can almost breathe in your garden from the photos – it must give such pleasure. We are on the cusp of a move to Maleny. Our new garden has camelias, a magnolia, wisteria, daffodils, lots of dahlias, as well as flowering plum trees. You must come and visit.
By: Jan on May 1, 2018
at 10:15 pm
I can’t wait to see your garden! Wild goats ate my camellias and porcupines ate my dahlias.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 4:48 am
Beautiful as always. You take wonderful photos Deb.
By: Karen on May 1, 2018
at 10:27 pm
Thank you. It is easy to take photos of beautiful things.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 5:10 am
Just beautiful, Debra
By: Pauline on May 2, 2018
at 2:07 am
The garden gets better every year.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 5:11 am
Such a beautiful garden with hues of pinks and purples! 😀
By: Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella on May 2, 2018
at 2:20 am
I love these colours.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 5:11 am
Worth the wait! Most likely will turn into a beautiful summer and maybe a long one. See you soon…….
By: Kirsi Säde on May 2, 2018
at 4:35 am
It’s raining again now, but that’s OK.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 5:12 am
I might be interested for next summer. Location? What months? Rent & costs? Thanks! Suji
By: Suji Wong on May 2, 2018
at 5:38 am
I have sent you an email. At the top of the page you will see “Rent our Tuscan House”. Click that to see more on the house.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 1:06 pm
Ohhhh Debbie!! I can imagine your excitement in seeing your Spring garden bloom so beautifully. Can imagine you filling Casa Debbio with vases of flowers filling the rooms with perfume.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on May 2, 2018
at 12:47 pm
Yes, it is great to walk in the garden each day and see something new.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 2, 2018
at 1:07 pm
Green is on the way to be the dominant color.
By: aFrankAngle on May 3, 2018
at 12:48 am
It certainly is! We have rain again now, which will be good for the growing garden.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 3, 2018
at 6:03 am
wow….. Beautiful pictures.
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By: amazuweb on May 6, 2018
at 4:07 pm
I don’t think we in Australia can appreciate the full splendour of spring as it’s mostly always green here (other than our drought-parched grass). Your sequence of photos really shows how things come to life after being dormant. Beautiful.
By: Mary Louise Tucker on May 8, 2018
at 8:28 am
I live in Brisbane where we have 2 seasons, hot and not quite so hot, with little difference in the greenery. I love the seasons here. It is quite magical to watch everything turn green before your eyes. This spring has been a bit odd, but it all evens out in the end.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 8, 2018
at 8:30 am
Oh, those peonies! We have one small peony bush on our lot, and it is not even close to blooming yet. At least it has buds. I thought winter would never end! Enjoy the beauty of your labors.
By: sheilasunshine on May 9, 2018
at 12:47 pm
I love peonies. I am very happy they grow well at Casa Debbio. We have around 60 plants and several of them are producing lots of flowers.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 10, 2018
at 5:46 am
Everything is growing so beautifully that the garden is a credit for all your efforts. Congratulations!
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 18, 2019
at 8:56 pm