From 1 to 4 October 2026, Villa Erba in Cernobbio hosted the 16th edition of Orticolario. With over 30,000 visitors, more than 250 exhibitors, spectacular gardens, art installations and fantastic plants, the event once again proved to be one of the most anticipated autumn highlights on Lake Como.
Orticolario 2026 came to a close on Sunday, 4 October, after four days dedicated to nature, innovative gardening, art and landscape culture. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Villa Erba in Cernobbio, overlooking Lake Como, the international event brought together creativity, botany and imagination.
This year’s edition attracted garden enthusiasts, professionals, families and visitors eager to discover new ways of experiencing and appreciating nature.
En rêverie: an edition inspired by dreams and imagination
The theme of Orticolario 2026 was “En rêverie”, a French expression evoking daydreaming and that dreamlike state where reality and imagination seem to merge.
Throughout the exhibition, the theme came to life through imaginative gardens, artistic installations and striking displays. Each space offered its own interpretation of dreams, encouraging visitors to see nature from a different perspective.
At the heart of this year’s edition were “fantastic plants”, botanical varieties remarkable for their unusual shapes, colours and extraordinary ability to adapt. Although entirely real, some of these plants seem as though they belong to an imaginary world.
By highlighting these botanical wonders, Orticolario encouraged visitors to look more closely at the diversity of plant life and discover just how surprising nature can be.
Villa Erba transformed into a garden of wonders
With its centuries-old trees, sweeping lawns and views across Lake Como, the historic park of Villa Erba provided the perfect setting for the event.
The villa and its grounds became part of the experience, with the natural landscape blending into the artistic creations displayed throughout the exhibition.
More than 250 exhibitors presented rare plants, botanical collections, gardening products, design objects and handcrafted creations.
As they wandered through the stands, visitors could discover unusual plant species, meet specialist growers and gather inspiration for their own gardens and terraces.
Among the highlights were the seven creative spaces selected for the international competition, alongside numerous installations outside the competition. Each project explored the theme of dreams through plants, materials, colours and design, transforming corners of the park into works of art.
Art, installations and creativity: the most memorable experiences
Orticolario has always been about more than gardening. It is also an opportunity to explore how nature inspires art and creativity.
This year’s installations took visitors on a journey through a variety of visual and sensory experiences.
One of the most distinctive was Hypnos, located in the central pavilion, which invited visitors into a world suspended somewhere between dreams and reality.
Another highlight was Nel mondo di Phantasos, a space dedicated to botanical rarities, while Les Imaginaires, displayed in the entrance hall of Villa Erba, presented a poetic vision of nature through the work of artist Lau Cabantous.
The event also welcomed Luigi Serafini, creator of the celebrated Codex Seraphinianus, whose imaginative artistic universe fitted perfectly with this year’s theme.
Together, botany, art and design created an experience that appealed not only to garden lovers but also to photography enthusiasts and visitors interested in contemporary creativity.
Four days of talks, workshops and activities for all ages
From 1 to 4 October, Orticolario offered a varied programme of activities for visitors of all ages.
Creative workshops, talks, artistic performances and meetings with experts gave visitors the opportunity to explore the plant world and its connections with culture and the environment.
Special attention was given to children and teenagers, with educational activities and interactive experiences designed to introduce younger visitors to nature.
There were also opportunities to discover the history of Villa Erba, closely associated with the Italian film director Luchino Visconti.
The final day, Sunday, 4 October, featured additional cultural events, including talks about the characteristics of plants and an immersive musical performance in the villa’s historic dock area.
Orticolario 2026 welcomes over 30,000 visitors
The 16th edition of Orticolario ended on a positive note.
With more than 30,000 visitors, the event once again demonstrated its ability to attract a wide and varied audience, strengthening its position as one of the most important autumn events on Lake Como.
Orticolario also brought visitors to Cernobbio, offering an opportunity to discover the area’s cultural heritage, historic villas and lakeside scenery.
Among this year’s awards, the prestigious “La Foglia d’Oro del Lago di Como” prize was presented to the creative garden Rosa velata, while Luigi Serafini received the Per un Giardinaggio Evoluto award.
Both awards reflect the spirit of Orticolario, an event that continues to encourage new ways of exploring nature through art, creativity and experimentation.
Orticolario: an autumn event to experience on Lake Como
After four days of gardens, art and creativity, Orticolario 2026 came to an end, leaving visitors with memories of a particularly imaginative edition.
Original garden designs, artistic installations, rare plants and a wide range of activities helped make the event a memorable experience in one of the most beautiful settings on Lake Como.
Orticolario remains one of the must-visit autumn events on Lake Como, giving visitors another reason to explore Cernobbio and discover the connection between nature, art and landscape.
Keep following ComoLake.com for more events, experiences and places to discover around Lake Como.
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