Held from October 3 to 6 in the historic park of Villa Erba, Orticolario is a cultural event dedicated to an evolved concept of gardening and gardens. This year, the theme of the fourteenth edition was “Terrae,” with a focus on plants for phytodepuration. The award for “La Foglia d’oro del Lago di Como” (designed and created exclusively for Orticolario by Gino Seguso from the historic Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso in Murano) was won by the STIHL Space “SETA. Sustainable Environment and Textile Artwork,” a project by Jonathan Arnaboldi and Matteo Pellicanò. The jury’s motivation stated: “It fully reflects the theme of the competition, demonstrating a conscious and sustainable approach that is very attentive to detail, botanical selection, and plant quality. It also highlights a strong collaboration among different professions, whose synergy represents advanced gardening looking to the future. It has the capacity to represent the earth as a source of life, art, and culture.”
The same space received awards from Grandi Giardini Italiani for intertwining nature, art, and history, with a contemporary perspective, creating an inclusive space that welcomes everyone without excluding anyone.
Other awards were given to the Amorfini Garden Space for “Dall’alto al basso e poi di nuovo verso l’alto” by Davide Boschetti for its immediate and engaging presentation that moves the viewer; the Villa d’Este award went to the Fratelli Gramaglia Space for “Simbiosi” by Laura Storero for celebrating the deep harmony between man and nature; the AIAPP Matilde Marazzi award was given to the “I(n)spirare” Space by Pierre-Alexandre Risser, Solenn Moquet, and Clara Bodin for their interpretation of the themes proposed in the 2024 edition, showcasing spatial composition and rich vegetation; the Press award went to the Coplant Space for “Terra, vita, eterno incanto” by Elena Ziliotti and Davide Passera.
Exhibitors evaluated by the Technical Jury were also recognized: the Collection award went to Orchideen Detflef Frenzel for Hoya, or wax flower (displaying 240 species out of 500 described); the Super Specimen award went to Oscar Tintori Vivai for Citrus madurensis ‘Foliis variegates’ for its size and growth habit; the Innovation award went to Water Nursery for Nymphaea prolifera for its unique propagation method and large fragrant night flowers; the Cultural Preparation award went to Natura Maestra Piante Innovative for its extensive knowledge, research work, and dissemination in the field of useful but little-known plants.
Finally, the Aesthetic Jury awarded: the Best Art & Nature Project award to the installation “I quattro elementi” by Lorenzo Guzzini in Darsena for the evocative power of the four elements, along with metal, represented with essentiality and material power; the Best Design & Nature Project award to “Con-tatto” by Duo Urtiga for a suspended space to contemplate the wonders of nature (minimalism and simplicity in details); the Best Product Exhibition award to Libellule Pezziunici for effectively conveying themes of sustainability, balance, and lightness through the construction of art objects; and the Best Plant Exhibition award to Il Giardino for its installation harmoniously integrated into the park’s context, featuring a botanical composition of common plants characterized by very refined color and texture combinations.
The President’s Award was finally given to Mario Mariani from Central Park and Matteo Boccardo for setting up various areas at Orticolario 2024, including the Info Point and Press Point in the Central Pavilion, the area hosting workshops for children, the Ken Scott installation, the Gardenia Space, the “Folia” project in the park gazebo, and the lakeside space of Euroflora.
