Orticolario 2025 Lake Como: Nature as Inspiration, Eden as a Symbol
The 15th edition of Orticolario 2025 has officially come to a close, the event that every year transforms Villa Erba in Cernobbio into a meeting place for art, botany and landscape culture.
Dedicated to the theme “Eden”, this year’s edition celebrated biodiversity, freedom and the wild beauty of nature, placing wild edible plants at the center — symbols of balance between humans and the environment.
Antonia Klugmann Awarded the “Per un Giardinaggio Evoluto” Prize
The “Per un Giardinaggio Evoluto” 2025 Award was presented to Michelin-starred chef Antonia Klugmann, owner of the restaurant L’Argine a Vencò.
Known for her conscious and sustainable cuisine, Klugmann has made the use of wild edible herbs a true gastronomic manifesto.
As explained by Moritz Mantero, President of Orticolario, she was chosen “for her ability to combine authenticity, respect for raw materials and an ethical vision that reconciles humankind with nature.”
The award, designed by Produzione Privata by Michele and Pico De Lucchi, is a sculpture made of solid canaletto walnut and silk printed by Mantero 1902: a symbolic passing of the torch between the 2024 and 2025 guests of honor.
Orticolario 2025 Lake Como: Winners of the International Creative Spaces Competition
The afternoon featured the awards ceremony for the best creative spaces.
The “Golden Leaf of Lake Como” Award was presented to Spazio Miretti – “Uno scrigno di natura rigenerante” by Flavio Miretti, Brigitta Balestri and Matilde Tonelli, recognized for portraying Eden as a multisensory and accessible ecosystem.
Other awards included:
- Empathy Award to Il giardino dei giunchi – Ecospirituale by Daniela Giraudo, for its poetic and symbolic interpretation of Eden.
- Villa Carlotta Award and Grandi Giardini Italiani Award to Viaggio Primordiale by Oasi Studio, for creating an immersive sensory experience.
- Press Award to Hortus/Silva by Amorfini Garden, for the narrative and visual strength of the installation.
- Gardenia Award to DZONOT by Jonathan Arnaboldi and Matteo Pellicanò, an installation recreating a tropical Eden in the central pavilion.
Art, Ethics and Beauty in the Heart of Villa Erba Park
More than just gardens: Orticolario 2025 Lake Como also celebrated art and design.
The jury awarded Japanese artist Kimiyasu Kato for his work La Mela, combining technique, ecological message and evocative value.
Among the exhibitors, special recognition went to:
- Natura Maestra for its extensive collection of wild edible plants.
- Cactusmania by Manera for the specimen of Operculicarya decaryi.
- Mast Ceramics for best product display.
- Fratelli Leonelli for the harmonious use of iron and plants.
The President’s Award was finally presented to Marco Gramaglia for his contribution to the knowledge of wild edible plants and for promoting a conscious botanical culture.
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