Venzano Toscano

Volterra -  Church of St Giusto

Years ago we cycle toured the hills of Tuscany

and while staying in the ancient hill village of Volterra

friends we made there insisted we go and visit the resident Aussies

that had bought an old villa in the Volterra foothills

complete with an Etruscan well, friezed medieval chapel

and an orangery

Venzano Gardens

at the time we had no idea of who or what they were doing

except that i had a great time looking at their new nursery

and wandering their beautifully landscaped gardens

Venzano Orangery

last year I came across a book on sale in a local book store

turns out that little nursery has blossomed into one of Italy's most pronounced

growers of scented and drought hardy plants

Venzano - A Scented Garden

not long after that they featured 

in one of the horticulture journals i subscribe to,

it's quite heartening that such small beginnings lead to

brilliant things

mind you I am missing the glorious stone walls, 

Tuscan hillsides and 

a few ancient monuments

Que sera, sera !