From October 2 to 5, 2025, Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on Lake Como, hosted Orticolario 2025. This international event celebrates nature, garden design and landscape art.
The theme of the 15th edition was Eden. It represented a timeless world where biodiversity, beauty and wonder come together.
Inspired by this concept, designers explored the relationship between humans and nature. As a result, the international Spazi Creativi (Creative Spaces) competition received a variety of original proposals.
After a careful selection process, the committee chose seven finalists. Their projects were then presented during Orticolario 2025.
The Seven Finalists of Orticolario 2025 Creative Spaces
Each finalist offered a different interpretation of Eden. Through innovative ideas and natural materials, the designers created spaces that encouraged reflection and discovery.
- Italiana Terricci – “Il giardino ritrovato” (The Rediscovered Garden) Marco Fraschini, Marta Viganò and Elisa Costa designed this garden for Italiana Terricci.Their project celebrated the garden as a place of memory and renewal. In particular, it explored the emotional connection between people and nature.
- Miretti Giardini – “Uno scrigno di natura rigenerante” (A Haven of Regenerative Nature) Flavio Miretti, Brigitta Balestri and Matilde Tonelli created a space inspired by natural regeneration.The garden offered a peaceful retreat from everyday life. Moreover, it highlighted nature’s ability to restore balance and encourage personal well-being.
- “Viaggio primordiale” (Primordial Journey) Andrea Volonterio and Davide Simoncini designed an immersive journey into the natural world.Their installation encouraged visitors to rediscover a deeper connection with wild landscapes. Through this experience, nature became a source of wonder and inspiration.
- Amorfini Garden – “Hortus/Silva”Designed by Davide Boschetti, this project explored the relationship between cultivated gardens and spontaneous woodland.The installation brought together two different natural environments. As a result, it created a dialogue between human intervention and the freedom of nature.
- Coplant – “Evanescenze” (Evanescence) Elena Ziliotti and Davide Passera presented a garden inspired by the idea of impermanence.Their design explored the delicate balance between presence and disappearance. At the same time, it invited visitors to slow down and appreciate fleeting moments of beauty.
- Ossola Giardini – “Improbabile peana del giardino moderno” (An Unlikely Ode to the Modern Garden) Rafael Tassera challenged traditional ideas of perfection in garden design.Instead of following rigid aesthetic rules, his project celebrated spontaneity and wild nature. Consequently, unexpected forms became an essential part of the landscape.
- “Ecospirituale” (Eco-Spiritual) Daniela Giraudo explored the spiritual dimension of gardens.Her project presented nature as a place of reflection and inner connection. Furthermore, it encouraged visitors to consider the deeper relationship between people and the environment.
Orticolario 2025: The Creative Spaces Awards
An international creative jury evaluated the seven projects.
The main prize was “La Foglia d’Oro del Lago di Como” (The Golden Leaf of Lake Como). This prestigious sculpture was created exclusively by Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso in Murano.
In addition to the main award, the competition included several other prizes:
- Empathy Award (Premio Empatia): Recognising the garden that created the strongest emotional connection with visitors.
- Press Award (Premio Stampa): Celebrating innovation in materials and sustainability.
- Visitors’ Award (Premio Visitatori): Awarded through a public vote.
Furthermore, several special awards celebrated different aspects of landscape design.
These included the President’s Award, Gardenia Award, Villa d’Este Award and Villa Carlotta Award.
Other recognitions were the Grandi Giardini Italiani Award and the AIAPP Matilde Marazzi Award.
Together, these prizes highlighted creativity, environmental awareness and artistic innovation.
Orticolario: Where Nature Meets Culture and Solidarity
Orticolario is more than a garden exhibition. Over the years, it has become an important event for landscape culture on Lake Como.
The festival promotes biodiversity and environmental awareness. Moreover, it encourages visitors to discover new approaches to garden design.
Social responsibility also plays an important role. In fact, Orticolario supports local charitable organisations through fundraising initiatives.
The 2025 edition celebrated the beauty of nature through art, creativity and innovative landscapes.
Thanks to the Creative Spaces competition, visitors discovered seven unique interpretations of Eden.
Ultimately, Orticolario 2025 showed how gardens can inspire reflection, strengthen our connection with nature and encourage a more sustainable future.
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