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Imagine stepping into Giardino San Giuliano, where every path feels like a journey through time and nature’s artistry. This sprawling oasis, spanning over 4 hectares, began its transformation in the 1970s under the vision of Marquis Giuseppe di San Giuliano.
What was once a simple masseria has grown into a botanical masterpiece, rich with the echoes of experimentation, growth, and elegance.
What was once a simple masseria has grown into a botanical masterpiece, rich with the echoes of experimentation, growth, and elegance.
A Garden Of Discovery
You walk through the entrance, greeted by towering palms and stately trees that hint at the garden’s origins. The air carries the scent of Chamaerops and Washingtonia filifera swaying gently between the Church and the terrace, their leaves whispering stories of the early days. Close by, the majestic Cedar of Lebanon rises high — a living memory brought here as a sapling from Villa Leucatia near Catania.
Following the winding paths, you reach The Blue Strip — a striking stretch of garden where silvery foliage dominates the landscape. Yucca rostrata and Trithrinax campestris stand proudly against the sun, their green-grey tones shimmering in the light. This area, created in the 1990s, feels austere and intentional, a testament to the relentless curiosity that has shaped the garden over decades.
Fields of Gold
Surrounding the garden lie 59 hectares of citrus groves, tended since the 1990s with deep respect for the land. Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, over 15 varieties, grow under the sun with the rhythms of Mount Etna in the distance.
The Arab Gardens
Hidden deeper within lie the Arab Gardens, designed with Oliva di Collobiano. Once an orchard, now a secret paradise surrounded by citrus groves and dry-stone walls. Here, ancient water channels feed pools and fountains, dividing the garden into four zones:
I. The Tropical Zone: Archontophoenix, Musa, Datura—lush and jungle-like.
II. The Mediterranean Terrace: Red grapefruit trees bask in the sun.
III. The Herb Slope: Wild sage, thyme, and artemisia with views of Mount Etna
IV. The Vine Pergola: Rare citrus and grape vines offer shade and scent.
I. The Tropical Zone: Archontophoenix, Musa, Datura—lush and jungle-like.
II. The Mediterranean Terrace: Red grapefruit trees bask in the sun.
III. The Herb Slope: Wild sage, thyme, and artemisia with views of Mount Etna
IV. The Vine Pergola: Rare citrus and grape vines offer shade and scent.
The Hill of Succulents
Your journey concludes on the Hill of Succulents, the most recent addition to the garden’s tapestry. Here, Ferocactus, Trichocereus, Echinocactus, and Pachypodium thrive in the arid soil, their rugged forms and vibrant blooms providing a dramatic contrast to the lush greenery below.
A Touch of Grace
As you continue your journey, the garden shifts and breathes with every step. In the early 2000s, Rachel Lamb, an English gardener of extraordinary skill, brought a softer, more whimsical touch to the landscape. Under her care, the garden blossomed into a celebration of color and grace. From March onward, anemones, narcissus, and nasturtiums announce the arrival of spring, while antique roses and white Agapanthus frame the pathways of Il Giardinetto with an ethereal elegance.Near the square pool, Rachel introduced a Tropical Corner, where newly curated plants add layers of beauty and surprise.
