Ten Spring Blooms to See in and Around Florence
1. The wisteria bloom at Villa Bardini: the most famous
Wisteria is one of the most “Instagrammed” plants of the moment, and no wonder: its bloom is a real spectacle, like the one offered by the pergola at Villa Bardini, a long corridor of a specific wisteria variety that enchants thousands of visitors every year. Made for photographing: #wisteriahysteria.
2. The iris bloom at the Iris Garden
It may sound like a play on words, but only the flower that symbolizes Florence could have a garden of its own at Piazzale Michelangelo. Here you’ll find a paradise of different iris varieties, of which Tuscany is Italy’s leading producer for the perfume industry. Worth a visit these days.
3. The wisteria near the Horticulture Garden
This is a less well-known spot for wisteria lovers, but the display is a striking one: every year the walkway near the Giardino dell’Orticoltura (the Horticulture Garden) seems to turn into a Japanese bridge, with clusters of wisteria buds dangling over passers-by’s heads.
4. The iris bloom in Greve in Chianti
A day trip out of town for a glass of Chianti, but also to see the hillsides turning purple: alongside the olive trees stretch long rows of iris in bloom, like those at the Frantoio Pruneti. The iris is also an emblem of the Chianti Classico.
5. The rapeseed bloom in Campi Bisenzio
Rapeseed isn’t a flower for bouquets, but its yellow bloom has become almost a symbol of spring, like the one you can see in Campi Bisenzio on Via Barberinese: breathtaking.
6. The peony bloom at Castel Ruggero
In an old medieval castle now a private home, there’s a large garden rich in different botanical species, the peony among them. For a few years now the garden has opened its gates in May to let enthusiasts witness the bloom of this elegant flower.
7. The lavender fields in the Mugello
Who says lavender fields belong only to Provence? At Luco di Mugello, in Borgo San Lorenzo, you’ll find expanses of lavender that have nothing to envy the French ones for beauty and fragrance.
8. The sunflowers of Badia a Settimo
On the edge of Scandicci lies Badia a Settimo, a medieval abbey complex, the bricks for Brunelleschi’s dome were fired here, that gives its name to the surrounding area. Beside the town’s main road, a field of sunflowers offers a postcard-perfect scene in summer.
9. The lavender fields in Montespertoli
On the hills of Montespertoli sits the Podere Lemniscata, an oasis of nature complete with a biodynamic vegetable garden, where the lavender bloom takes center stage. In summer the estate becomes a farm stay where you can taste and buy lavender-based products. The owners hold off on harvesting the flowers to let the bees feed as much as possible.
10. The sunflower fields of Gambassi Terme
If you want to continue the flower tour from Podere Lemniscata, a visit to the sunflower fields of Gambassi Terme is a must: in the quiet of the countryside, thousands of yellow blooms stretch to the horizon of the summer sky.
