I arrived at Casa Debbio on a damp, dreary afternoon. The garden looked a bit bedraggled with the lavender drooping under the weight of the rain drops. The perfume was divine as I pushed my way along the paths with wet lavender brushing my legs.
I awoke this morning to mist swirling through the valley below. Then the sun came up and brightened everything.




Filippo has done an amazing job with the garden over the summer. It was extremely hot and there was almost no rain, after a dry spring. He spent lots of time watering, weeding and taking care of new plantings. He walked with me this morning, pointing out the plants that did well and the ones the wild goats feasted on.



The geraniums don’t like the extreme heat of summer, but are happy again now that the days have cooled.


Some of the lavender is shoulder height…I will have some pruning to do soon.

 

Wisteria is making its way over the pergolas.


I wish I had seen the oak leaf hydrangea when the flowers were new.

 
My scarecrow is still guarding the tomatoes even though her hat has drooped a bit.

The extremely dry weather meant that the fruit trees didn’t do so well, but there are a few pomegranates, tiny figs and, for the first time, cachi (persimmons).

Filippo has been scouring the hills around Casa Debbio for porcini mushrooms and brought me some fine specimens.

I cooked some in butter, garlic and thyme for lunch.

The afternoon was glorious at Casa Debbio.



 


The views from Casa Debbio are amazing. Perhaps this is the place for your Italian holiday next year.