La Foce Garden

Home » Toscana » Siena - SI » Chianciano Terme » La Foce Garden

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

La Foce garden was devised by architect Cecil Pinsent, contracted by Iris Origo, a well-known English writer, and her husband Antonio. Cecil’s aim was to enhance the Renaissance house and expand the view over the Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata.
Antonio Origo took care of the reclamation of that very poor valley, while Iris dedicated herself to her books, the social welfare of the peasant population, and the very garden. The latter grew gradually, between 1925 and 1939.

The house is surrounded by a formal Italian garden divided into geometric “rooms” by box hedges, with lemon trees (Citrus Limon). Travertine stairs lead to the rose garden and a pergola covered with wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and bordered by lavender hedges.
Terraced slopes rise up the hill, where cherry trees (Prunus avium), pines and cypresses grow among wild broom (Spartium junceum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).
A path goes through the woods and connects the garden with the family cemetery, considered one of Pinsent’s best creations ever.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)