One of the big reasons that I took my current apartment in Florence is because I have a huge terrace paved with travertine, outlined with a planter box, connected to my dwelling. I live in the city center and space and privacy are at a premium, so my terrace has 2 neighboring terraces, and that is just something I have to live with. Interestingly, the larger neighboring terrace appears to be unoccupied, or occupied only rarely, so that is quite nice. The smaller one has 2 nice neighbors with whom I share a greeting anytime we connect outside.

I planted nasturtiums from seeds last month and on May 28 I had this first yellow blossom! A welcome sight and a small sign of success. I also planted some small cherry tomato plants I bought at the outdoor market. We’ll see if I have enough direct light this year to grow a few pomodori. If they flourish, they will look pretty next to the geraniums!

Here’s one view of my terrace, looking from the east towards the west. The 3 slatted metal doors you see are on the two neighboring terraces.

When I arrived to live here in January (4 months ago as I write this) this long planter was filled with dead shrubs. It was a job to remove all of the debris and another challenge to find small laurel shrubs to refill the space. Already in January I had planted 2 camellia plants. If you know me you know that if camellias are available, I’ll be planting some, even in the winter.

I further accomplished both clearing the debris and finding/planting new laurel shrubs over the winter and early spring. I’m happy to say my shrubs are doing really well. Did you know my name is based upon the laurel plant?

Above, you see 2 of the 4 planters the former tenant left me with trellises that hold jasmine plants. So grateful for these.

Below you can see my current planting of a row of laurel/camellia shrubs as well as the neighbors I have in other buildings. I’m fortunate to have my large terrace which will someday be home to some garden furniture and an umbrella, but step by step I am getting there. The plantings are first priority. I expect to be here for several years and I look forward to green shrubs and privacy. In the meantime, I love my bright red geraniums. You say the word geranium to me and this color that I see!