A slow spring at Casa Debbio

As I have mentioned in other posts, spring was slow to arrive this year. Casa Debbio is in Vergemoli in the mountains of Garfagnana, an area where the Appenine and Apuan Alps meet. We are just over 600 metres above sea level.

When I arrived in late February winter weather was still with us. Here is the view of Vergemoli from Casa Debbio.

 

This weather continued all through March. It rained most days, with occasional hail and snow. These photos were taken on the few fine days. The only colour at Casa Debbio was in the form of our lovely daffodils.

I do like the wintery views around Casa Debbio.

Gradually, and several weeks late, things began to turn green.

Our garden began to grow and the rain persisted.

Our weeping cherry grew buds.

Our magnolia tree grew buds, but rain, hail and snow killed them and they all fell off.

The weeping cherry flowers lasted only a few days before the leaves began to appear.

Finally our lavender began to grow and the rosemary plants flowered. We have about 350 lavender plants and almost as many rosemary.

Our 60 peonies all survived the winter and grew quickly, some more than others.

Wisteria buds appeared.

…and the trees kept turning green

The little crop of daffodils that must have been planted many years ago made an appearance.

Violets appeared almost overnight.

Our cherry tree was covered with blossoms, but we have no bees this year so I wonder if we will get cherries.

The greening continued.

Peony buds grew, wisteria flowers grew and rhododendrons grew.

The ricotta plant produced flowers that start green and slowly turn cream.

Some of my beautiful peonies grew flowers. There are many more to come.

Bugs love peonies.

The quince tree is covered with blossom.

There are carpets of blue flowers under the trees.

The kiwi plants are thriving.

We should get figs this year.

Pretty little aquilegias are popping up everywhere.

Wild daisies are covering our terraces.

The Frassino, or flowering ash trees are magnificent this year.

This is the latest on the wisteria. We are hoping our 2 pergolas will be covered this year.

These are the latest views of the garden.

 

….and the views from the house.

 

Casa Debbio is available for rent this summer. Let me know if you know someone who is interested in a restful holiday in an authentic Italian mountain village.

Next summer we are looking for someone who would like to rent the house for all of summer. I think it would be the perfect base to stay, write a book, paint a landscape and make an occasional trip to one of the hundred or more tiny villages dotted around our Tuscan mountains. Please share this post with anyone you think may like to stay at Casa Debbio.