italian flowers by the roadside

One may think that Italian wildflowers are reserved to the natural fields of Tuscany, where they have flourished for years. However, the roadside verges are ablaze with floral treasures from March onwards in most areas of Italy. Surprisingly Italian roadside verges create the perfect environment for many very interesting wild flowers.

Wild tulips, wild garlic, wild asparagus and wild daffodils to name but a few, burst from the dull ground and often have me stopping my car to photograph these true treasures. Although one may think that the grass verges are a rather unhospitable place for wildlife, they actually provide a lifeline for many flowers and creatures. An area that is rarely drastically disturbed after the initial construction- the flowers and animals are left in relative peace by the side of the road to create wonderful ecosystems that link field to field and wood to wood.

Many creatures depend upon these lifelines of wild flower area for their very survival, as the modern Italian garden often offers very little in the way of wild flower meadow. The array of flowers in these areas is quite astonishing and these pictures will hopefully prove that there are some amazing wild flowers that can fill your garden with colour, almost all year round! Many can be used as herbal medicines and relaxing herbal teas. Clearly the roadside flowers are polluted by the fumes of the passing cars but the same flowers can easily be encouraged to establish themselves, using the ecologica wild flower system