Gardening Gone Wild Photo Contest Entry

Italian Rooftop Garden

Florence, Italy

We were in Italy for a 2 week stay the summer of 2006. Italy completely captivated me, my imagination and creativity, opened my heart and brought great joy to my spirit. Our first day there we traveled by train from Rome to Florence. To say Florence, Italy is beautiful would be like saying the sun is hot. Florence must be experienced first-hand for there are no words and no photos that convey how it really is. However, this missive is not to tell everyone about Italy, though no doubt I could fill my blog with tales and photos the rest of the summer. This missive is for my first ever entry into Gardening Gone Wild's Photo Contest. Thought I would give it a go this time ... just for grins.

But to set up the scene you must know that we walked from the train station straight to the Cathedral of Florence, beside which stands Giotto's Campanile. Giotto's Campanile is a free-standing tower residing alongside the Cathedral of Florence along with a host of other buildings. There are 414 steps up a narrow, winding passage. Trust me ... I counted every last one. Thankfully, windows come often, allowing any breezes. Landings allow one to catch one's breath. We climbed up, up, up, pausing at the main landings along the way to peek out to the city below us.

Giotto's Campanile;
Florence, Italy

Taken from the top of Giotto's Campanile;
The red rooftops of Florence, Italy

Once we reached the top we walked around the rooftop, astonished at the sights before us. The red tile rooftops of Florence spread all around us like a tapestry. Gentle green hillsides surrounding the city were dotted with villas and olive gardens while distant landscapes were shaded in blue haze. We enjoyed the scenery and especially enjoyed seeing how people landscaped their rooftops with gardens, one of which is my entry.

What a special memory. This makes me all warm on the inside and smiley on the outside. I hope you enjoyed my little tale of Florence and enjoyed the photos.

Lilttle Cypress Natives in Florence, Alabama

Native Azalea buds

Today I celebrate the turning tide in this country, maybe the world, toward using native plants. The gardener's mantra is "Right Plant - Right Place." I've made so many mistakes in my gardening career but have found that following that rule makes gardening so much simpler.


Carroll and I traveled to Florence Saturday afternoon to one of our favorite places on the planet - Little Cypress Natives. Harry & Linda Wallace live in this gorgeous wooded area flanked by wide open, green fields. Down the road is the historic Forks of Cypress plantation built by James Jackson who long ago was president of the Alabama Senate. That's another story entirely for another post one day. For the purposes of this post it's enough to note that Little Cypress Natives nursery is located on land once owned as part of the famous plantation.


Harry and Linda became enchanted by native plants when they built their home here. Over time their hobby became a thriving business. The best part about their nursery are their home grounds overlooking Little Cypress Creek. You can hear the creek waters running while strolling pathways that wind through their native gardens that sport huge rocks, moss, unexpected resting areas and, of course, native plants. It's extremely helpful seeing these plants in various garden settings as you can see how they grow and what works well together.


The resident cat, Dick, is a charmer who loves to be loved on and makes kitty biscuits while softly purring. Dick the cat nearly came home with me, but I figured Harry & Linda might miss him so I let him be.


Harry just put this new redwood swing deep in the grounds. A jasmine laden trellis grants shelter complete with heady floral scent. The old push mower adds a humorous touch while Dick looks on.
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The view from the swing - Little Cypress Creek far below the hillside.

Another place to rest and enjoy nature.

Yet another place to rest. Beside this overhanging porch is a little stone waterfall that Harry and Linda had installed that rambles over stones and gives the birds a constant source of water. It's nice to listen to as well while one takes in the view and listens to the birds.

Charming.

Simply enjoy.

The native azaleas are beginning to bloom now.

Garden pathway with Little Cypress Creek visible on the right.

After our gentle saunter through the woods we return to buy plants.

Thanks Harry & Linda (and Dick)

Happy Easter everyone.