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The fruit trees … not only goodness but also so much beauty!

Usually, the gardens do not include fish, cherry or apple trees among the most used trees, yet the simple gesture of planting one of these specimens brings with it that much magic, that feeling of a healthy return to the past that can then donate not only goodness but so much beauty for the whole evolution of the life cycle of the chosen tree.
The thrill of hosting one or more fruit trees starts with the wonderful spring bloom where colors from white to pale pink to intense fuchsia alternate and then leave the spot to the first buds.
The intense green shows the strength and luxuriosity of these specimens that after a few weeks begin to show their fruits. And yet another change in colors takes off.
The red, the orange and the yellow and the violet colors begin to make their way between the foliage showing the first fruits.
From beauty to goodness, even for a private garden, you go to the stage of enjoying the chosen fruit. There is nothing better to taste a real-life apricot, a sweet and crisp cherry we’ve seen grow, an apple or pear attracting us since its first appearance.
And the plant continues to alternate scenarios; even autumn, with leaves changing colors and winter with those bare but magical branches in their shapes have a particular charm.
The beauty of many of these specimens is also the strength and resistance they demonstrate. Cherries, apricots and pear trees, just to name a few, are usually very strong.
Cherry tree grows in any kind of climate and in full light. Little demanding on the type of soil, it only fears the too moist and waterproof lands.
Apricot tree tolerates drought but fears wetlands. Prosper in any kind of soil, even calcareous, except those that are too moist or clayey.
The pear tree, also very vigorous, is also resistant to cold and drought.
The plum tree, with its tens and dozens of varieties, is a plant that develops without particular problems, especially on all occasions where it is planted in soils with a good depth and medium impact.
We could continue to describe every single variety, certainly the care is always needed, but we want to emphasize here how their beauty, alongside usefulness, should lead them to be increasingly at the center of gardens of all kinds.
Let’s not forget, then, that the fashion of do it by yourself and living respecting the environment, having fruit trees at home can only align with this trend and strengthen good eating and zero miles habits!
We look forward to seeing you at our nursery to admire the wide selection of fruits available in the season, from the classic ½ potted 12 l steam up to 20/25/30 already circumscribed specimens and even decades old trees, real specimens with a circumference of 60/80/100 cm.
Even the most skeptics will be able to touch with their hands and see with their eyes how special it is to accommodate these useful and at the same time beautiful plants.
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GRASSES: ancient innovation

Grasses include a vast array of plants, approximately 10,000 species, which span from the most ancient grains to the wonderful ornamental variations used in parks and gardens.

These resistant plants adapt easily to the most varied environments, creating a charming atmosphere and, not to be undervalued, they are almost immune to phyto-pathological issues.

Thanks to their nearly “fluid”, soft appearance, they echo landscapes where the wind works together with the plants to create movement, new perspectives, a sense of space and sophistication as well.  Imagine American pastureland, where the thin spikes of grain follow the wind, creating continuous movement along the field’s surface, or the cold cliffs of Scotland, where just a few types of grasses work together to create a charm and harmony which is practically unique throughout the entire world.

All this just to show all you can do with this varied group of plants, which are both resistant and affordable.

In the past, very few grasses were used in gardens, but today, thanks to research and effort, an increasing number of ornamental grasses can be used in landscaping, from the park to the garden, inserted into almost any setting.

A few landscaping ideas:

As mentioned above, given the variety of plants which you can find, the possibilities are truly endless, only limited by one’s creativity and the effects desired.

  • As isolated specimens, to create a specific effect within a flowerbed or garden.
  • As a border along streets, roads, flowerbeds or gardens, thanks to their variety in terms of form and colour.
  • For very arid, dry soil where they manage to survive just fine, bringing life to areas which would otherwise be bare and difficult to manage.
  • On balconies, terraces, courtyards and patios, used in planters to create effects which once were unimaginable, adding colour, even in winter, to urban landscapes which tend to be sad and grey.

Forms and colours:

Grasses come in many different forms, starting from stalks as straight as a spear and leaves as soft as pillows or as fluid as water flows. They can resemble peacock feathers or rigid structures, small bushes or long edging, conferring effects of every type of and genre. They’re quite tall, some a few metres high, or low and compact. Small the soft or majestic and robust!

In terms of colour, they range from bright green to bronze, from red to violet. They can be almost white, ivory, yellow or grey with special decorations on the tips or on the leaves, adding depth and a wider range of uses, enriching backgrounds in flowerbeds, perspectives in gardens or creating milieus in parks, and so much more.

Bloom times:

Given the incredible variety of species, there are grasses which show off their utmost beauty at all times of the year.

In particular, a few varieties are at their peak during the cold season, displaying special tonalities which bring a touch of cheer to gardens, flowerbeds and terraces when other plants are hibernating or at least when their growth is rather limited.

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THE BEAUTY OF A UNIQUE SPECIMEN – Spring at its best

The first sun begins to peep to announce the imminent arrival of spring and, with its rays, warms the soil to stimulate growth and the first blooms of specimens of all kinds.

In respect of this wonder of nature, we want to dedicate ourselves to something unique, something that we cannot always accommodate in all the gardens, but that, by its mere presence, brings color, joy, light, and stresses the new life and rebirth symbolized by growth season after the winter hibernation.

We speak, indeed, of some individual items that, by themselves, can furnish and fascinate, with their colors, their grandeur and so special features.

Let’s start from the Kalmia (Kalmia Latifolia Olympic Fire); beautiful with its lush evergreen foliage, it has a rich flowering that goes from strong pink buds up to a more tender and soft version of the open flower, from late spring.

Durable, shiny and leathery, it likes direct sunlight, but also disdains the shade, which limits only its development. Milder at a young age, it becomes solid and strong as it grows.

Thirsty, especially during flowering, it requires care and attention practically all year round, however, giving great satisfaction to those who choose it.

Usually its small size is sold, but we are able to provide such unique plants in pots that reach heights of 250-300 cm, a rarity hard to find.

Another specimen that can possibly be used as a single element in a decor is the Cornus; we have a large number of specimens, from Florida, the Florida Rubra, the Florida Rainbow, the Kousa and even a hybrid between Florida and Florida Rubra!

Certainly not easy to grow (it takes years to get to interesting dimensions), it is very attractive as it evolves during the season. Between the late winter and early spring, at the height of the bare branches, it produces small star-shaped inflorescences consisting of small yellow or green flowers. Under each inflorescence, they develop four large white bracts in the shape of heart that, for some hybrids and varieties, can be pink or red.

Let’s discuss about the time of flowering, unfortunately quite short, but with wonderful and elegant inflorescences that are worth the months of waiting with the plant completely bare.

After flowering, the handsome foliage develops, and the small red fruits ripen in September, also gathered in small groups, at the height of the branches.

Lover of bright and humid climate positions, it fears the drought and too much heat.

We are happy to offer you wonderful specimens stunning characterized large size, up to 400 cm!

Let’s talk about the Hamamelis (we have specimens of Hamamelis Mollis and Hamamelis Mollis Westerstede), the one flowing when the branches are still bare, even in cold weather.

Its name indicates its particularity, Hamamelis means “together with fruit”, because this plant produces flowers when they are still present and ripe fruits of the previous year. There are many varieties that boast subtle flowers characterized by wrinkled petals of various colors, from yellow to orange lemon, pink or purple.

Strong, vigorous and rustic, it is a plant that does not disappoint, especially when placed in a bright position and when you take care of it.

Ready for coloring gardens and flower beds, also for this variety we are able to provide rare specimens that reach 400 cm in height.

We end this series with an absolute novelty, the Oxydendron Arboreum, a very particular plant native to North America, as indeed all the other varieties of this item.

Characterized by serrated leaves of rich green, in the autumn season they turn to bright red before losing them. Characterized by small white bell-shaped flowers united in groups, it has a trunk of a nice brown color.

Usually used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens, it is well loved for its rich flowering and for the beautiful colors of the leaves in all seasons.

Also used by Indian tribes for the construction of the arches with which shooting their arrows, it has many uses in herbal medicine and in the cuisine.

Come and see with your eyes the beauty of these specimens and tantalize your customers, landscapers or private beings, to accommodate specimens of such beauty in their garden.

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HOLLY, a magical and meaningful plant

When we talk about hollies (Ilex in Latin, to indicate specifically the genre) we could already imagine those beautiful plants with the most varied shapes and colors, from the most famous “Ilex Aquifoluim” to the many varieties, more than 400, that can adapt in many different climates and soils.

Looking a little bit to the history, we find that this plant was already widely used in Roman times when, during the winter solstice (the famous Saturnalia rites that were held around December 22), people were pinning twigs on the clothes to keep away evil and witchcraft.

It had the same value to the Germanic peoples- The British saw in its red berries the symbol of winter fertility and a return promise to light and heat.

This plant was entrusted with the role of talisman with the specific task to ward off evil influences and bring good fortune. Young shrubs were planted next to the houses and it was used to decorate homes.

Later on also the Christians, that were unable to turn away the very deep rooted tradition regarding the use of the holly in wintertime, have taken this symbol and changed its meaning comparing its thorns with the crown of Christ and its red berries with His blood .

Today, looking at this plant, you can not fail to emphasize its strength, its resistance and, at the same time, its grace and beauty. Apparently rejecting because of its thorns, it catches the eye for its colors, its mottling and its berries.

Colorful and durable, you can find it in an endless possibility of shapes, from the sapling to the bush, from the ball to the cone, to cheer and, why not, give a touch of good luck to hour home and gardens.

Some possible uses::

We are in winter time and you cannot help but emphasize how this plant can well represent the spirit of Christmas, giving joy and keeping misfortune away.

In addition to this, the holly is great for a variety of uses, thanks also to the fact that it has a lot of variations.

  • As individual specimens with a tall trunk, considering that it can reach considerable heights (not so fast!) until 5 or 6 meters.
  • As a great component of hedges, especially for those who want to maintain some privacy!
  • As garden shrubs interspersed with other species composing flower beds or bottoms that need color throughout the year.
  • As windbreaks, choosing the right varieties, even in coastal areas.

Shapes and colors:

The best known is the classic shrub with deep green leaves, thorns and red berries, represented by the school drawings of children and symbol for excellence of Christmas.

But the varieties are many, with spiny leaves or completely free of thorns, green or bluish, monochrome or variegated with gold or cream white strokes. Even the trunk can vary from classical to purple.

The berries are usually a bright red, and vary in size and quantity, sometimes big sometimes small clusters with numerous fruits. There are also varieties with yellow or blacks fruits, to make contrast with rich and intense leaves.

Concerning the shapes, depending on its use, it can be carved in cone, bush, ball, middle or tall trunk.

The most popular varieties:

For sure the classic Ilex Aquifoluim always remains a “must”. Unmistakable plant for its behavior and for the triumph of colors, it always represents a beacon of joy and good wishes in dark winter days.

It is also very resistant to many diseases and, not least, to the urban pollution, making it an interesting element to note for urban gardens and terraces.

It receives a lot of attention also the stunning variety with variegated leaves, with the same characteristics and with colors even more special.

Instead, an interesting innovation is the ‘Nellie Stevens’, varieties with dark green leaves, no thorns, and with lots of scarlet berries. Very resistant, it can grow almost anywhere.

Our proposal:

Here in the Vivai Capecchi, you can find a huge collection of Ilex, from Ilex Crenata to Ilex Crenata Convexa and Ilex Crenata Kimne, that we use both for the many forms of Topiary art, both for classical forms such as spirals, middle stem, tall stem, mini stem and Egyptian Pyramid, but also for the realization of Bonsai, both in Italian and Japanese style.

Going into detail our current production show off:

Ilex Aquifoluim available in the sizes: half stem, tall stem, cone, bush, ball, in multi stem with umbrella-like canopy (parachute).

Ilex Aquifolium “Alaska” available in the size bush

Ilex Aquifolium “Aureomarginata” available in the size mini stem.

Ilex Aquifolium “Golden King” available in the size bush.

Ilex Aquifolium “Silver Queen” available in the size mini stem.

Ilex Aquifoluim “Variegatum” available in the sizes: mini stem, middle stem, tall stem, cone, bush, and ball.

Ilex Aquifolium “Variegatum Pendula” available in the size tall stem.

Ilex Cornuta “Furcata” available in the size: middle stem, cone, bush and multi stem with umbrella-like canopy (parachute).

Ilex Meserveae “Blue Angel” available in the sizes: middle stem, bush and ball.

Ilex Mutchagara “Nellie R. Stevens” available in the sizes: mini stem, middle stem, tall ste, cone and bush.

Contact us for information or special requests, we are at your disposal!