At the lovely Giardino dell’ Orticultura, in my old neighborhood of Florence, one can enjoy the season’s finest weather and the greatest plant vendors in all of Florence!

Here I am walking across the little bridge into this pretty zone where I was lucky to live before, during, and after-Covid. I love these passerelle over il Mugnone, the creek or torrente that runs along this section of Florence. It once demarcated the northern edge of the city, but no more.

Entering the garden:

I got there early, not a big crowd yet, just how I like it! And I love the little boy’s excitement at entering!

I was immediately arrested by the intensity of this rose!

And equally drawn to the gentle pale color of this one.

You can find artisan made ceramics here and other things associated with outdoor living, even some natural fiber clothing and accessories. But never have I ever seen this southern Italian symbol of hospitality and good fortune, the pine cone, in such an intense shade of blue!

Then I realized that the tabletop, some dishes and vases are also made by this ditta or business and I had to take a pic of the larger scene. But that blue!! I can’t get over it.

Always my favorite part of the fall show is the grouping of fruits. It takes me back to my childhood visits to our state fair. But, back where I come from we never had such a selection of fruits to grow. The plants would have died in their first month in that inhospitable climate. The Great Plains of the American West. Best for buffalos and buffalo grass.

We are definitely not in Kansas anymore (Kansas was not my home state, but it’s pretty much the same thing).

Bulbs are on offer here. Many of them and many types! I chose a few. I don’t really have the right kind of space for planting bulbs on my terrace, but as usual, I couldn’t help myself from buying a few.

I bought some anemone and ranucoli (ranunculus) opportunities. You can’t really call them bulbs. And you can’t guarantee they will grow and produce the flowers you yearn for. When you buy a plant or bulb, I contend you are purchasing a dream. I hope my little dreams come true next primavera. I certainly will do my part. The vendor told me plant them in Novembre. Lo farò.

Hard to believe these dry little nubs have life in them. Can you imagine harvesting these? Painstaking work.

But I chose some paper whites as well to grow indoors at Christmastime. These are easier and more likely to perform as hoped. Fingers crossed.

Here’s my haul.

I’ll catch the #13 bus that will take me home to my new neighborhood and terrace where I have pots and soil waiting to house the new additions to my collection.

These plants will grow just fine outdoors in the Tuscan winter, giving me something green (the color of hope) and pretty to look at on my terrace during the dull gray days of inverno.

The bulbs I bought are inside the bags but not visible to the naked eye.

Buon autunno!