Parco Botanico del Chianti
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This new park, established in 2001, was created to celebrate an often overlooked botanical heritage of great wealth and beauty. The walks through the park’s two areas are of interest to both botanists and plant lovers and those curious to see some rare varieties. The first area consists of natural woods, with downy oaks, roverelle and rich undergrowth of pink cysti, broom, honeysuckle, privet, juniper, and various species of wild rose. The flowers are at their most spectacular in spring and early summer, but late summer and autumn’s second flowering also has some magnificent new blooms, colored berries, and the rich colors of turning leaves. The most common flowers are globe daisies, small light blue powder-puffs, and the blue muscat, flowering in March; various species of wild orchids, which bloom between April and early June; Barrelier’s veronica, with its long blue spikes, blooming between August and September; and cyclamens, between September and October. The second section of the park is the theme area, where some cultivated species have been planted; these are plants that once characterized Chianti’s landscape, such as the old rose varieties found in abandoned farmhouses, which have survived years of total neglect. They were chosen for their ability to adapt to this environment, being resistant to drought and most common diseases, and for the intensity of their perfume. In May there are beds of irises, commonly cultivated in the past, for the use of their powdered rhizome in perfumes and patisserie. The aromatic herb collection blooms from May to June and, although not strictly native, the ability of these plants to adapt to different climates and soils have made them typical of this area and traditionally used in its cuisine. There is also a collection of old varieties of fig trees, planted in such a way as to separate the woods from the cultivated vineyards and olive groves. Finally there is the lavender walk of the variety lavandula latifolia, which grows wild in the park and in the neighboring woods. It often grows next to the pure white Saint Anthony’s lily, which flowers around June and July and was common in the gardens and orchards of the past.
The botanical park covers 5 hectares and is owned by the estate of Casa Emma.
Address: Strada Provinciale di Castellina in Chianti Barberino Val d’Elsa Phone: +39 055 8072239 Email: info@parcobotanicodelchianti.it Site: www.parcobotanico.it
Back on the Strada dei Poggi, a turning to the left leads to the Parco Botanico del Chianti, Montecorboli and La Ripa. Past the Oratory of San Giorgio, which stands on the right of the provincial road, a dirt road turns off to the left, first dipping down, then going up through the woods to the ruins of the Church of San Silvestro.
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Return to Barberino Val d’Elsa