Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto | Grandi Giardini Italiani

History

This garden, between Intra and Pallanza on the Piedmont bank of Lake Maggiore, took shape from 1935 onwards on the property bought by the Scottish Captain Neil McEacharn from Marquess di Sant'Elia with the ambition of creating a botanical collection of international value.

McEacharn was born in southern Scotland in 1884 to a wealthy Scottish aristocratic family, which allowed him to dedicate himself full time to the great passions of his life: botany, gardening and travel. He was one of the exclusive category of passionate gentlemen of the twentieth century who travelled the world more than once (seven times it seems, the first when he was only sixteen) in search of new plants to acclimatize in his gardens.

The Captain expertly juggled aesthetic and botanic needs, confident in the beauty of the site, the mild climate and the incredible work of terracing and excavations along Punta della Castagnola. He bought more adjoining land and created woodland, borders and dells of shrubs, flowerbeds, parterres, lawns, ponds and greenhouses, gathering plants from all over the world to make up collections of great scientific value which now number 8,500 different species and varieties.

McEacharn, assisted by the English gardener Henry Cocker, lived in Villa Taranto until his death in 1964. However he had already donated his treasure to the Italian State in 1938, remaining as life tenant on the property which was opened to the public in 1952.
Since June 2005 the Herbarium Britannicum can be visited, where the herbal of wild flowers collected in 1929 by the Captain's first gardener is displayed in 43 showcases.

The Green Green. Eco-sustainable activities

The Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto are actively committed to promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Over the years, they have implemented several actions:

◈ Promotion, implementation, and redevelopment of the plant heritage

Annual planting of new trees, which have expanded the Mediterranean collection over time, with Quercus suber oleander specimens and Hibiscus erytrinba crista galli, mimosas, lagestroemerias, gardenias, to name just a few.
Protection of Quercus coccinea, a specimen registered in the list of monumental plants.
Introduction of woodchips for mulching.
Creation of new flowerbeds with ''houses'' for pollinators, and then used the ''reduced mowing'' practice.
Biodiversity has been a feature of the park since its creation. The area of annual flowerbeds varies over the years, depending on the selections made. The tree and shrub vegetation is maintained stable (increased when possible). The interventions affect over 80% of the park.

◈ Eco-friendly greenery management

Use of wood chip mulch
No chemical weed control is used (only manual) and no pesticide treatments have been performed since 2015.
Organic fertilization has been implemented since 2024.
100% agronomic management.

3) Water Saving

Irrigation with lake water: no use of drinking water or groundwater.
Drinking water fountains with anti-waste buttons.
Some fountains and pools on the terraces have recirculating water. [*] Irrigation management is currently being updated and upgraded, with specialized companies.

◈ Use of eco-friendly materials

Use of home-produced compost from pruning residues.
Reuse of pots for planting.
Use of peat-based soils reduced to the bare minimum.
Use of wood chips purchased from a certified company.

◈ Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity
The park area is located in a city green zone, with an environment designed with respect for biodiversity by founder McEachern.
Today, invasive species are controlled using agronomic methods. The botanical park's mission is to maintain, enhance, and expand its botanical collections: its history bears witness to this.

◈ Wildlife
The park is home to badgers and foxes, as well as native squirrels. Thanks to the increase in wildflower meadows and the absence of chemical agents in park management, the presence of pollinators has increased. Birds make their home in the park's plants, and mallards, in pairs or groups, often appear in the water lily ponds.

◈ Strategies for sustainable use of the park
Introduction of electric vehicles for maintenance, including new means of transport (golf carts) and for transporting materials within the park.

◈ Other good practices

Encourage separate waste collection through the presence of bins in the park
Drinking water provided by fountains equipped with a timer
Refreshment points are plastic-free

...and for the future?
In addition to continuing along the path already established, we will strive to develop outreach and educational activities on environmental issues (with schools, associations, and local residents), and we will also strengthen scientific and university collaborations. For example, we have an ongoing collaboration with the CNR (National Research Council) on monitoring insects and animals in the park's peri-urban environment.

Useful information

PARKING AND SERVICES
Free cars and buses. Lake Maggiore Navigation Station and bus stop 100 metres away. (Stop: Ist. Ferrini)

VISITING
Reservation for groups is not compulsory. Visits are free and the plants are nomenclature. Visitors are advised to follow the itinerary indicated by the progressive numbers on the map. Those who wish to be accompanied during the visit may contact the authorised guides; the list can be found on the website of the province.
The route runs along two routes, the short one of approximately 1.850 km and the longer one of 2.950 km.
Walking times vary between 1 h 15' and 2 h.

PIC-NIC
Packed lunches are only allowed in the areas in front of the Garden entrance. It is not advisable in the event of rain.

ANIMALS
Dogs are only allowed if on a leash and only along the pedestrian paths.

ACCESSIBILITY
The Garden can be visited by wheelchair following a signposted route.

CAFE & BISTRO
An elegant, retro and sophisticated venue, located at the entrance to the park, next to the ticket office. Available for breakfast, lunch
and snacks. For information and reservations: Cell. (+39) 340 3385947 www.barvillataranto.it - info@barvillataranto.it

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl