Very nice photo on that tuscany.net homepage! Just seeing that landscape, with the stone building and the picturesque row of cypress trees, reminds me of a comment I once read by a, I think, well-known landscape architect. He said that he felt the two countries where the hand of man was most in harmony with the hand of nature were Japan and Italy.

I can't believe they are actually cypress trees... I have a cypress tree in my backyard that I am not particularly fond of - it's a completely different type though of course. <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for your help! My curiosity has now been put to rest :)

Here's a tip for container gardeners straight from the caretaker of my house in France, who has the most glorious geraniums and other potted plants I have ever seen anywhere in my travels in Europe - put half an apple in the soil and let it rot. That, and watering with spring water (not exactly practical in most locations) seem to work magic for her. I'm sure there's some scientific/chemical explanation, but I prefer to think of it as just another little rural tip.

Interesting, St. Cirq! I will try the apple trick, definitely. My husband would probably freak if he saw me using spring water on the flowers though ;)

Do you mean rain water, St Cirq, as opposed to bottled, Spring water? :)

I just couldn't resist joining in! Yes, those are definitely cypress trees (the bottom foliage has been trimmed) on the website. The same type form the background in my garden here in Southern California. (and probably 50% of my neighbor's) <BR>I live in zone 9, so we virtually never have freezing temperatures. All my pots stay out all year with no problems at all. Oh, perhaps every five years or so, we'll have a frost and my poinsettia's will burn, but that's really been my only hassle. However, I would die to be able to grow peonies, tulips, and other cold winter flowers...I guess we gardeners are never satisfied.

There are the most gorgeous red, fushia, and pink flowers spilling down the sides of the building from windows looking out over the main piazza in Mantua (aka Mantova). Saw similar window displays elsewhere, but these were particularly striking.

I am rather enjoying this botanical sidetrip. The landscape in the countryside and the potted plant displays in the towns and villages can keep me gaping for weeks! <BR> Last month in Lucca we saw (and smelled) some trees that I have never seen before. There are quite a stand of them planted upon the wall there. They are large very mature deciduous trees with blossoms that look like gigantic magnolias or gardenias. The trees themselves seem too large to be magnolias. Anybody know what I'm talking about? Thanks.

Clar: <BR> <BR>No, not rainwater, or bottled water, but water from a fresh spring (as I said, not really practical for most locations, but there happens to be one on my lane in France).

I could not resist joining this botanical side trp - enjoy it too much! I am proud to say that a lot of the beautiful Geraniums and Pelargoniums overflowing window boxes in Europe, originate from South Africa! Unfortunately where I am living in Pretoria, it is far too hot to cultivate them in window boxes - they do well either in the ground or in bigger pots. Inspired by the window boxes in Provence and Assisi, I tried it here, but it is just too hot. I agree that temperature has a great deal to do with the performance of those wonderful window boxes! <BR> <BR>And I just want to know why StCirq is so blessed to posses a place in France? How do I envy you! I hope this is not going to stay a dream for me, but that some miracle wil happen one day, and I will afford to buy a very small little something in rural France! <BR> <BR>Happy gardening to all you "cultivated" travellers!