This post is also available in: Italian
Piedmont is probably the Italian Region which features the biggest number of gardens, small nurseries and very interesting botanical facilities. That’s why we’ve put together more than one itinerary for you. Here’s the second one, which runs around Turin and will get you up close and personal with wondrous roses, berry shrubs, peonies, hosta, autumn anemones, Cornus>/em>, maple trees, and succulent species. The same itinerary also includes a very interesting winery, a botanical garden and two cosy farm stay facilities.
To complete the tour around the city of Turin, you may then follow the other itinerary:
DISCOVERING NURSERIES (AND WINERIES): NORTH OF TURIN (PIEDMONT/4), or explore other parts of Piedmont.
The nurseries
The map shows the nurseries and other locations included in our suggested itinerary. Distances are also mentioned, in order to make it easier and more practical for you to make your choice and save petrol and time.
Maurizio Feletig Nursery: Maurizio and Alessandra Feletig are the owners of this farm in Arignano, on the hills of Chieri. The farm was opened in 1991 and it is specialized in the production of berry shrubs – mainly native – and ancient roses. The specialities of this nursery have all in common the production of colourful and lively infructescences: berries and rosehips which can brighten our gardens in autumn and winter, perfectly integrated with the landscape. This nursery reproduces about 270 varieties of roses, including ancient and botanical varieties (bush roses, sarmentose or rambler specimens) and about 70 berry shrubs.
Distances to other nurseries: 14,3 miles to Buffa nursery – 17,4 miles to Vivai delle Commande – 21,8 miles to Audisio Nursery – 43 miles to Floricoltura Lusernense.
Buffa Nursery: G&G Buffa nursery, owned by Giusy and Giovanni Buffa, was opened in 2004 thanks to more than For some years now, its owners have been collecting and cultivating herbaceous peonies, shrubs and intersectional hybrids, which exceeds one hundred and fifty varieties (from China, Japan and France), as well as American herbaceous and shrub hybrids. Not all varieties in the catalogue are actually on sale as some of them are still being studied and monitored – they will be eventually launched on the market, only if their quality is up to expectations. The production of herbaceous peonies is based exclusively on the division of plants grown in the field for 3-4 years, which allows flowering from the very first year of their life; as far as shrub peonies are concerned, this nursery offers 2-3-year-old specimens, grafted on Peonia lactiflora. For some years, peonies have been joined by a small collection of autumn-flowering Japanese anemones (Anemone hupehensis) and their hybrids, which give abundant blooms from mid-August to late October.
Distances to other nurseries: 17,4 miles to Vivai delle Commande – 21,8 miles to Audisio Nursery – 43 miles to Floricoltura Lusernense.
Vivai delle Commande: this nursery is specialized in shrub, herbaceous and intersectional hybrids peonies. Vivai delle Commande was established in 1994 by Caterina Gromis di Trana and Lodovico and Carlo Salvi del Pero, who have always been fascinated by peonies. In fact, the first American shrub and herbaceous peonies were imported from the United States in 1980. After fourteen years of cultivation, while acquiring a very good experience, the owners of Vivai delle Commande decided to open a nursery specialized in the production of those very plants. To the first American varieties, which have now reached a remarkable size – and for this reason, are still used as mother plants – many others have been added in the course of the years: they were sought and purchased all over the world before being included in the local collection. The nursery now features about one hundred varieties of herbaceous and shrub varieties, not all on sale, yet. In 1997, while looking for some new varieties of peonies in the USA, Caterina, Lodovico and Carlo fell in love with plantain lilies (hosta) and decided to bring back those beautiful and versatile plants (perfect for shady areas), still unknown in Italy.
Distances to other nurseries: 6,2 miles to Audisio Nursery – 17,4 miles to Maurizio Feletig Nursery – 7,5 miles to Vivai Buffa – 32,3 miles to Floricoltura Lusernense.
Audisio Nursery: this facility is focused on the production of succulent plants from seed, in particular of the genera Gymnocalycium and Lithops, not to mention other species, also obtained from the seed, or the caudiciform varieties. Not surprisingly, this nursery is absolutely loved by amateurs, as well as professional collectors. It is actually a small facility born out of the family’s passion for succulent plants and from the desire to reproduce and cultivate specific varieties, even the rare ones, not only for the private collection. A Bed & Breakfast facility is annexed to the nursery, inside an old and quaint farmhouse: it offers a relaxing and peaceful stay while admiring the breathtaking collections of plants with plenty of time.
Distances to other nurseries: 26 miles to Floricoltura Lusernense – 21,7 miles to Maurizio Feletig Nursery – 11,8 miles to Buffa Farm – 32,3 miles to Vivai delle Commande.
Floricoltura Lusernese: this nursery in Luserna San Giovanni (TO) – Val Pellice, is specialized in the production and sale of ornamental and fruit plants; its wide range of excellent products includes some wondrous Japanese maples, Cornus, fruit trees, small fruits, chestnuts, walnuts and common hazels.
Distances to other nurseries: 42,9 miles to Maurizio Feletig Nursery – 37,3 miles to Buffa Nursery – 32,3 miles to Vivai delle Commande – 26 miles to Audisio Nursery.
From here, you’ll be able to start another itinerary: DISCOVERING NURSERIES: CUNEO, THE BIG PROVINCE (PIEDMONT/6), travelling to Colla Nursery (15,5 miles away), or follow the directions included in: DISCOVERING NURSERIES: MONFERRATO, FROM ASTI TO ALESSANDRIA (PIEDMONT/7), reaching Fiorella Gilli Nursery (6,5 miles away).
Andar per vivai: il Monferrato, da Asti ad Alessandria (Piemonte/7)
Botanical gardens along the way
Rea Botanical Garden: Rea Botanical Garden is in Val Sangone, in the heart of the Cottian Alps, at 1.476 ft meters above sea level. It was established by the passionate botanist Giuseppe Giovanni Bellia, in 1961. In 1968, the garden launched its own “Rea Information Bulletin” in honour of Giovanni Francesco Rea, one of the first botanists who studied the flora of Val di Susa and Val Sangone. In 1989, the garden was purchased by the Piedmont Region for a dual purpose: to integrate the collections and implement several cultural activities of the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin. In 1992, it was eventually opened to the public. The Rea Botanical Garden is now managed by Val Sangone Mountain Community and over the years, it has become an important facility for botanical research and the study of the regional flora – also thanks to the contributions of the Museum of Piedmont in Turin.
Vineyards and wineries
Merenda con i Corvi, in Pinerolo (TO): On the hill of Pinerolo, Merenda con Corvi is a winery specialized in excellent red wines. The vineyard extends for 7.5 sloping acres, within a property of 25 acres in total; this is an area that has been perfectly suited for growing grapes since the 1700s. The winery was built by Francesco Romano, a local contractor, who started the construction works in 2000 on abandoned land. In addition to the vineyard, where he re-planted new strains of Barbera and Merlot (trained with the Guyot technique), he restored the nearby barn and the other ancient structures, creating the wine cellar, his own private residence, a bed & breakfast facility with three apartments (“Residenza con Beccata”), a swimming pool, and a terraced garden.
Accommodation
Residenza La Beccata, in Pinerolo (TO): a bed & breakfast facility with three apartments (“Residenza con Beccata”), a swimming pool, and a terraced garden. The latter was designed by the famous gardener Anna Peyron.
Milena Audisio Farm Stay, in Motta di Carmagnola (To): annexed to Milena Audisio Nursery, this facility was created inside an old farmhouse renovated with great taste and sobriety. Breakfast is always prepared with local products and fruits, preserves from nearby farms, fresh bread, croissants and cakes made with grandmother’s recipes; lunches and dinners are available as well, with typical local cuisine. It’s the perfect place to rediscover the silence and enjoy walking and cycling in the countryside.
This post is also available in: Italian
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