The Monumental Meadow

The emerald carpet surrounding the Villa is the most ancient part of the grounds. This expansive, rustic meadow is home to a tapestry of wild species: anemones (Anemone coronaria), crocus, speedwell (Veronica persica), and dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). Most notably, it is dotted with English daisies — Bellis perennis — which, as their botanical name suggests, remain in bloom almost year-round.

Framing the southern entrance with monumental grace are eight large Osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) shrubs, meticulously pruned into spheres. In spring and autumn, their tiny white tubular flowers release an incredibly sweet perfume that carries across the estate. Once dried, these blossoms can even be used to add a delicate fragrance to tea infusions.

(Photo: Osmanthus)

Rare Shrubs and Fragrances

The restoration of the Romantic Gardens also focused on reintroducing the flowering shrubs beloved in the late 19th century. Visitors will encounter Philadelphus (Mock Orange), Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), and various Viburnums introduced from East Asia, such as Viburnum carlesii and Viburnum plicatum.

The collection is rounded out by other Asian treasures highly fashionable in the 1800s: the Winter Sweet (Chimonanthus praecox), the rare and fragrant Daphne (Daphne odora), and the Harlequin Glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum), which fills the spring air with its exotic scent.

The Roses of the Italian Garden

The formal Italian Garden at Villa Le Corti is a sanctuary for roses. This unique collection brings together ancient and modern varieties under one common denominator: an extraordinary fragrance.

To complete the existing heritage garden, over 350 new plants were added, representing the great families of the Rosa genus: Bourbon, Damask, China, Tea, Portland, and Floribunda. You will also find Hybrid Rugosa roses, a group that emerged in the late 1800s from sophisticated crosses between Portland, Bourbon, Tea, and China varieties.

(Photo: Gloria di Roma rose)

The Heady Aroma of Boxwood

While the Italian Garden is a mosaic of scents, the most pervasive is the Boxwood (Buxus). The sharp, resinous aroma emanating from its wood and foliage is a hallmark of historic European gardens — a scent that has divided opinions since antiquity, when gardeners often preferred the spicier notes of Myrtle or Laurel.

Along the perimeter walls, the fragrance profile shifts with the seasons: from the aromatic foliage of lavender and rosemary to the floral notes of wisteria, narcissus, and violets, and the dual sensory delight of lemon trees.

(Photo: boxwood)

The Kitchen Garden: Heirloom Vegetables and Ancient Wisdom

The Kitchen Garden (Orto) of Villa Le Corti utilizes Electroculture, an intriguing ancient technique of energetic agriculture. The garden is framed by large bushes of rosemary and lavender leaning against the stone retaining walls of the Italian Garden.

A quintessential plant found near the Orto is the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). A versatile wild plant, its spring leaves are a delicate addition to salads, while its white flowers serve as elegant edible decorations for desserts. Traditionally, its vitamin-rich fruits are used for artisanal jams, teas, and herbal infusions.