It has been a lovely year at Casa Debbio. Despite some fairly ordinary weather the garden is progressing well.
Last winter was wet, but not all that cold, and most of my plantings survived. There was snow around us in the mountains, but we didn’t get any at the house.

Winter gave us some beautiful sunsets.

There were lots of misty days in January, which made for some interesting walks to the village.



The local wild goats made some early morning appearances.

Spring came slowly, but my daffodils put on a bright show, and I am completely in love with my weeping cherry. I don’t care if it never gets fruit as long as it flowers every spring. Fruit trees blossomed. Hellebores, columbines, my single peony, and bulbs planted last year appeared to my delight.

Filippo and Rocco have made lots of progress on the terrace below the house, which will eventually become a very pretty cottage garden with lavender, roses, agapanthus, peonies and other gorgeous things.


My neighbour, Vittorio, visited with his pet cinghiale (wild pig).

Unfortunately shortly after her last visit she escaped from her house and went for a walk through the village, frightened a little boy out for a walk with his grandfather, then visited the pharmacy and caused a bit of havoc and later wandered off through the forest and came back with a male friend. Piggie is no more.
I planted lots of peonies and rhododenrons and am hoping they survive the winter and flower for me in the spring.

The geraniums did well this year and my lavender was spectacular. There are now huge bunches in every room in the house. The garden beside the house grew well and our little vegetable garden thrived. I was picking raspberries until well into autumn.

In autumn Filippo and I planted lots of fruit trees. They will take a few years to produce, but I am hoping for lots of blossoms in spring. Filippo has pruned some old fig and cherry trees which should produce fruit next year.

In autumn Battista, Rocco and Filippo cut several pine trees from around the house. I have resisted this for years, but finally gave in. This is the last photo with the pines in front of the house.

The trees have gone from the front and beside the road leading to the house. We now have three more terraces to plant with more suitable trees.

We planted an advanced magnolia in front of the house which will provide shade in summer.

Everything is resting now for the winter. I can’t wait to get back in February to continue with the planting and with a bit of luck I will be watching my daffodils, peonies and other things spring to life.
…until next year.

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