Italian Botanical Festivals: Gardens, Castles, and Rare Plants in September-October 2026
Italy's botanical celebrations from September to October 2026 highlight its rich green legacy. The Horti Aperti event at Almo Collegio Borromeo in Pavia is scheduled for September 19-20, offering workshops on sustainable gardening. On September 26-27, Verde Grazzano will enhance Grazzano Visconti with plant vendors and guided tours. The Borgo Plantarum event at Borgo Antico Le Viole in Castellarano takes place on September 19-20, merging botany with visual arts. I frutti del Castello at Castello di Paderna in Pontenure, occurring on October 10-11, will feature 160 exhibitors celebrating rare fruit varieties. Additionally, Murabilia in Lucca (September 4-6) will focus on rare plants, while Ortocolto at Villa Pallavicino in Busseto (September 5-6) will showcase organic produce. Centro Botanico Moutan in Vitorchiano will unveil its peony collection on September 12-13.
Key facts
- Horti Aperti at Almo Collegio Borromeo, Pavia, September 19-20, 2026, theme 'giardino intelligente'.
- Verde Grazzano at Grazzano Visconti castle, Piacentino, September 26-27, 2026.
- Borgo Plantarum at Borgo Antico Le Viole, Castellarano, Reggiano, September 19-20, 2026.
- I frutti del Castello at Castello di Paderna, Pontenure, Piacentino, October 10-11, 2026, over 160 exhibitors.
- Murabilia in Lucca, September 4-6, 2026, on Renaissance walls and Orto Botanico.
- Ortocolto at Villa Pallavicino, Busseto, September 5-6, 2026.
- Centro Botanico Moutan in Vitorchiano, Lazio, opens September 12-13, 2026, with peony collection.
- Grazzano Visconti is a 'historical fake' built in early 20th century by Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone.
- Centro Botanico Moutan founded by Carlo Confidati in 1990s, 15 hectares, one of world's largest peony collections.
- I frutti del Castello includes guided listening of Vivaldi's 'Autunno' with Alessandro Maria Carnelli.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Confidati
- Alessandro Maria Carnelli
- Giuseppe Visconti di Modrone
- Gian Galeazzo Visconti
- Piet Oudolf
- Stefano Mancuso
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Luigi Mainolfi
- Gianfranco Pardi
- Ivan
- David Tremlett
- Catherine Mosbach
- Michele De Lucchi
- Luchino Visconti
- Claudia Zanfi
Institutions
- Horti Aperti
- Almo Collegio Borromeo
- Verde Grazzano
- Borgo Plantarum
- I frutti del Castello
- Castello di Paderna
- Murabilia
- Ortocolto
- Villa Pallavicino
- Museo Renata Tebaldi
- Centro Botanico Moutan
- Artribune
- Orto Botanico Alma Borromeo
- Landscape Festival
- Interno Verde
- Orticolario
- Villa Erba
Locations
- Pavia
- Italy
- Grazzano Visconti
- Piacentino
- Castellarano
- Reggiano
- Pontenure
- Lucca
- Busseto
- Vitorchiano
- Lazio
- Bergamo
- Città Alta
- Ferrara
- Piacenza
- Mantova
- Parma
- Vicenza
- Como
- Lake Como