Gardens of Sicily
Sicily is truly spectacular, with amazing landscapes and fabulous views, but the crowning glory for me is the Greco-Roman theatre at Taormina, where the vistas are jaw-dropping. And there are some super plant surprises in the ancient walls themselves.
About this tour
There is something magical about Sicily in early spring. As the Mediterranean sun begins to warm the island, wildflowers burst into life, citrus trees hum with blossom, and the ancient towns emerge from their winter hush. It is a wonderful time for a garden lover to be here, well before the summer crowds, with the landscape alive with colour.
Sicily has always stood apart, a crossroads of civilisations where Greek temples, Norman cathedrals and Baroque palaces sit side by side, framed by dramatic coastlines and fertile volcanic soils. This tour is built to show that blend of natural beauty, horticultural treasure and rich heritage, with each stop revealing a different side of the island.
Garden highlights
- Orto Botanico di Palermo - one of Europe's oldest botanical gardens, rich in palms and succulents
- Giardino del Biviere - a celebrated private garden on a former lake bed
- Casa Cuseni - an Arts and Crafts garden with views over Taormina
- San Giuliano estate - the gardens of Princess Maria Carla Borghese
- Villa Trinita - an elegant garden that comes alive in early spring
- Mount Etna - vineyards and orchards thriving in rich volcanic soil
Destination highlights
- Taormina, its Greek theatre and views over the Ionian Sea
- Mount Etna and the fertile volcanic landscape
- Baroque Ragusa and other timeless hill towns
- Monreale Cathedral and its remarkable cloisters
- Gli Aromi herb farm and a home-made Sicilian lunch
- Palermo, the island's vibrant capital
Interested in this tour?
These tours come round again, and the best way to make sure you do not miss the next one is to join my email list. You will be among the first to hear when new dates are announced, with practical, seasonal gardening from me along the way.
What you'll learn
Sicily is a lesson in Mediterranean gardening and in how climate, soil and history shape a place. You will look at how gardens thrive in rich volcanic soil and a hot, dry climate, how centuries of Greek, Arab, Norman and Baroque influence show up in planting and design, and how early spring brings citrus blossom and wildflowers to life. From a great botanical collection in Palermo to intimate private gardens, there is plenty to take home for anyone gardening in a warm, dry spot.
Gardens you'll visit
Beyond the gardens
Sicily is as much about culture and landscape as horticulture. Between gardens there are Greek and Roman remains, Norman cathedrals, Baroque towns and the ever-present cone of Etna, along with the food and warmth the island is famous for. It is a trip that feeds the senses as much as the plant notebook.
By the end of the tour I hope you will feel you have come to know an island quite unlike anywhere else, where gardens are shaped by fire, sun and a long tapestry of history. You will go home with a head full of colour and ideas, and a real affection for Sicily in spring.