Giardini Victoria | Grandi Giardini Italiani

History

“Giardini Victoria” adds an ornamental part to the old landholding of “Pietraperciata”, mainly devoted to citrus and olive oil production. It is hard to say where one part finishes and the other starts; in combination, both parts succeed in enhancing some beautiful Sicilian countryside struggling with the arid climate and the economic demise of terrace-based cultivation. The hillsides which, until the last century, were carefully tended with almonds and vines have seen the return of wild scrub, and the loss of paths and terraces. This exposes the area to the risks of fires in summer and erosion in winter as a result of the occasional torrential rains.

Vittoria Alliata di Villafranca decided in 2021 to repurpose and restore her 5 ha of hillside with a garden project, the “Giardini Victoria”. Now, instead of almonds, it is possible to enjoy the sights and smells of a Mediterranean garden, and to learn the local history. The visitor will enjoy the re-planting and recovery of local oaks and carobs, and the new teucrium, cystus, rosemaries, salvias, myrtles and lentiscus, not to mention a collection of rare and ancient Sicilian cultivars of peaches, pears, figs, and plums interspersed with remarkable blooming roses, camelias, wisteria, oleanders, and of course mulberries and the commercial varieties of citrus.

A small lake filled with water from the Alcantara river, that is to say, with snowmelt from the nearby Etna volcano which feeds it, offers a precious chance for aquatic plants and amphibians, and for dragonflies and damselflies. There are unforgettable sights of very ancient trees, and to the West a super view of the snowcapped volcano. To the East, of a great rocky outcrop pockmarked with cavities, some of which were enhanced as sepulchres in prehistoric times. Indeed “pierced rock” or pietra perciata is what gives the whole neighbourhood its name.

The Great Green. Eco-sustainable practices

Giardini Victoria is actively committed to promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Over the years, it has implemented several initiatives:

Enhancement, implementation, and redevelopment of the plant heritage

Special pruning of centuries-old native oak trees in an orange grove to allow for their revitalization.
Pruning of centuries-old olive trees and pine trees approximately 40 years old, damaged by arson, to allow their survival and revitalization. The work was carried out partly by our specialized workers and partly by acrobatic pruners from Vivai Valverde in Valverde (CT).
Planting of 30 Washingtonia palms, 15 specimens of Chorisia speciosa, and 2 Carob trees (Cerimonia siliqua); Three pink pepper trees (Schinus molle) along the orange avenue to increase botanical diversity and, in the case of carob trees, introduce species of local value, and in the case of Schinus, species capable of large aerial development to create ample shade during the long, sunny, and dry summers.
Planting of 250 specimens of old roses; 40 specimens of camellia and 30 specimens of hibiscus sp. for ornamental collections.
Planting of thousands of plants and shrubs of rosemary, cistus, santolina, mugwort, mastic, sagebrush (Phlomis fruticosa), rosa chinensis, pelargonium, Euchium, jasmine, ornamental sage, Pennisetum, Teucrium, etc., to restore and enrich the existing Mediterranean scrub and protect the slopes of the hilly area prone to erosion. These shrubs also offer the advantage of requiring irrigation only during the first three to four years of establishment: subsequently, thanks to their characteristics, they will be able to perform their function in dry conditions.
Planting of 15 Aleppo pines, 15 Jacarandas, as well as three Quercus suber trees, and numerous cypress trees, with the aim of increasing greenery, enhancing their ornamental value, and stabilizing the soil. The Aleppo pine was selected for its seeds, whose germination is facilitated by fires.
Planting of approximately 100 specimens of ancient Sicilian fruit varieties in an orange grove with the aim of diversifying the varieties and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge of these species, no longer cultivated commercially. Covering an area of approximately 6 hectares in the Park, the new greenery covers 40% of the area.

◈ Conservation and enhancement of biodiversity

On an area of approximately 2 hectares, no longer cultivated, brambles and invasive plants such as lantana and prickly pear were removed to allow the growth of native species such as Quercus pubescens (downy oak), almond trees and other wild Prunus (through regrowth from old plants or self-propagation from seeds), Phlomis fruticosa, Wild rose, and Teucrium spontaneo.
A fire protection system was installed, and, on a small scale, a terrace with reed and wood coverings was also installed to limit damage from runoff caused by torrential rains. The goal is to restore this portion of the park to as natural a state as possible and mitigate the effects of abandoning the hilly terrain, which is no longer agriculturally productive. This category also includes the aforementioned planting of 100 specimens of ancient Sicilian fruit varieties (pear, apple, plum, etc.), no longer cultivated because cultivation for agricultural purposes is no longer economically viable.

Wildlife

Construction of a 15m by 5m biolake by excavating a waterproof basin and filling it with water from the Alcantara River. The water is purified through a combination of factors. Three low-consumption pumps ensure constant circulation and consequent oxygenation. Inorganic matter (such as nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus) is absorbed by the roots of aquatic plants, which also capture sediment and particles. Organic matter is biodegraded by ''good'' bacterial colonies and gravel filters. The biolake has enriched the park with aquatic plants and attracts countless dragonflies and damselflies. We have chosen not to illuminate the park.

Environmental education and outreach
Between 2023 and today, there have been approximately one thousand visits, some as part of guided tours for groups of garden enthusiasts, others for young people and other residents eager to explore this garden, which focuses on restoring biodiversity and reclaiming abandoned hills.
As part of the FAI (Italian National Trust) Days, thanks to the support of young FAI volunteers, the guided tours have provided an opportunity to educate people about the importance of biodiversity, respect for the land, attention to the circular economy, and the prevention of plastic pollution. Signs have been placed at the entrance to the Pomario to illustrate the species of ancient Sicilian fruit trees we have planted.

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl

Grandi Giardini Italiani Srl