When one imagines the typical Tuscan garden- images of formal Renaissance gardens often spring to mind, like Boboli in Florence, Villa Gamberaia or modern interpretations like La Foce, near Montepulciano.
Gardens such as these displayed the power and control that man wished to exert over nature in the glorious Renaissance period of the 16th century. This image, although a justified one does not reflect well the true origins of the Tuscan garden, it has to be said that more than four centuries have passed since this garden design concept was first developed and established by the Tuscan Aristocracy. In more than four centuries a lot can happen and the principles of Tuscan garden design have since been adapted by social changes and horticultural advances in general. The link between man and nature here in Tuscany is a very strong one and several social upsurges, political changes and increased tourism have led to the real custodians of the land (Tuscan farmers) having their say too

The arrival of international tourism has meant that the poverty-stricken farming culture has suddenly become fashionable and has propelled the rustic farmers way of life out from the farmyard and has seen it become firmly established on the international scene. The Tuscan peasant style (as it is known) has seen a massive leap in the interior design sector, seeing Peasant furniture (kitchen tables, chairs etc), become the most sought after items for the house in Tuscany feel.

This development has also clearly been felt in the Tuscan garden design sector too and has taken Tuscan garden design into a new era of rustic innovation- where natural is better and where it seems that there is nothing more modern than the past!! New interest in organic foods and alternative, homeopathic medicines has led to a wave of interest in the way things used to be done- and nowhere has this been felt more than in Tuscany with the latest garden style being a fusion of past and new and formal and informal. Formal can meet informal and everything can be scaled down to fit into the modern garden dimensions and the maintenance budgets affordable to the modern couple or small family unit.

So, if I were to define a Tuscan style garden for todays home buyer, I would say that it is, most definitely, a garden that focuses on a fusion style. This adopts formal, modern innovative design techniques near the house that extends into and includes the informal areas of the garden- such as wild flower pastures- based on the techniques once used by the local farmer, or peasant.

These areas could include formal, Italian-style, organic vegetable gardens or stunning wild flower meadows that provide beauty in the form of stunning poppy-fields and other indigenous plants. These meadows would have once provided all the necessary herbs for the wonderful Italian cuisine and even medicinal herbs, which could be used for natural healing techniques.

Areas of formal, Italianate, contemporary garden design near the house can address both the problems of water shortage and frustrating maintenance routines in this fast and frenetic world in which we live. By picking up on Renaissance nuances they can remain loyal to their noble origins, yet rely on practical solutions from a fusion of past and present and from aristocratic style to ... humble peasant practicality!