The rolling hillsides of Tuscany inspire Old World Tuscan gardens.
Bring the charming and elegant garden landscape of Tuscany into your own backyard with a Tuscan-themed garden that evokes Old World charm. Tuscan gardens are known for their rustic stone features, variety of plant species and incorporation of water features into a cohesive, sophisticated outdoor living space. Whether you're carving a small patch of land for your garden or transforming an entire lot, an Old World Tuscan garden will add elegant charm to your landscape.
Stonework
Stone walkways and embellishments add charm and romance to an Old World Tuscan garden. Select natural stone tiles in the warm colors of traditional Tuscan design: creamy beige, rich caramel, ruddy orange or terra-cotta red. Asymmetrical tiles fit seamlessly into the natural garden elements, but if you choose symmetrically-cut tiles, consider those with rough or texture edges to maintain the Old World look. Lay flat stone tiles in wandering walking paths through each garden section or stack smooth, rounded river stones along the edges of the paths to serve as borders and protective fencing for delicate flowerbeds.
Old World Tuscan gardens often feature water elements such as fountains or birdbaths. Choose water features made from natural materials such as marble or stacked stones. A distressed marble pedestal-style birdbath dressed in climbing vines and topped with a wide, shallow bowl filled with water adds character and attracts wildlife. Add the aural ambiance of flowing water with fountain made to look like a natural waterfall with stacked stones and hidden circulatory pumps. Surround the fountain with ornamental grasses to create aesthetic cohesion.
Plants and Trees
Achieve an authentic Tuscan garden by incorporating trees and plants that are native to Tuscany. Most Old World Tuscan gardens drew inspiration by the rolling fields of wildflowers in the surrounding hillside. The result was a garden area that was colorful and fragrant but not over-pruned or carefully sectioned. Line a walkway with overlapping beds of wildflowers such as poppy, lavender and blue iris. Frame the beds with simple ornamental grasses like plume or ribbon grass. Old World Tuscan gardens also included fragrant herbs that were harvested and included in traditional Tuscan dishes. Consider a raised bed for an array of herbs such as thyme, rosemary and basil. A low fence of stones or tiles protect the herbs from being trampled by visitors.
Add height and dimension to your garden with a border of trees or climbing vines. Line the back edge of the garden with a simple wooden trellis. For a true Italian touch, plant climbing grapevines along the bottom of the trellis or consider cup and saucer vines for a more ornamental look. The warm Tuscan climate is well-suited for various citrus trees such as lemon trees and olive trees. Keep larger, taller trees along the border of the garden so that the view of lower plants is not obstructed.
Additional Accessories
Old World Tuscan gardens are more than simple landscaping additions, they serve as a functional outdoor living and entertaining space for family and friends. Designate a section of the garden as a gathering space by laying a colorful tile mosaic patio. Distressed tiles with colorful printed images in blue and yellow are traditional styles of Italian tiling. Accessorize the living area with patio furniture featuring wrought iron detailing that adds a hardy, rustic element. To carry the garden into the living space, line the edges with several plants in terra-cotta pots to create a portable container garden. Herbs such as basil and rosemary are particularly well suited for a patio container garden because of their fragrance and visual appeal.
