Being Italian, some of my favourite childhood memories were made with my Nonni – for those of you who don’t know, Grandma and Grandpa = Nonna and Nonno in Italian. In Italy, people take real pleasure in filling their gardens with beautiful flowers and creating little escapes into nature on their property. It is not rare to see balconies overflowing with luscious flowers, roses climbing up trellises along walls, and fruits hanging from private trees alongside the old houses. Though Nonna lives here in Canada now, she really brought a piece of Italy with her by creating a gorgeous oasis in her backyard.

She even has a little mountain house, called a baita, with a woodstove and winding brick pathway to its door.

Nonna’s garden has so many pretty corners with hundreds of different types of flowers. She even has a pear tree and fountain, both surrounded by lush flowers.

I love Nonna’s garden, and the city does too! She won the first place Toronto Traditional Gardener prize two years in a row. I’m so proud of her and I love her so much. :)

~Sage