Italian gardens are some of the most beautiful in the world. Characterized by lush greenery, weathered walls, intimate nooks, and artful decorative pieces, Italian courtyards are a subject of aesthetics and warmth for many gardening enthusiasts. And while they seem to represent wealth, class, and proportion, you can experience a traditional Portofino- or Tuscan-like garden by recreating their styles at home.

Here are eight decoration ideas to turn your garden into a stunning, balanced, and verdant Italian courtyard.

Build an Entrance

Most traditional Italian gardens are within closed walls where caretakers and owners can enter through massive iron gates. If your yard has enough space, build an entrance to mimic an Italian garden’s seclusion and privacy. Your yard will feel luxurious and similar to those lavish gardens owned by wealthy noble persons.

Build a Pergola

Recreate the sunny and intimate Mediterranean by building a pergola in your garden. The canopy provides shade and a sense of safety while you read, paint, have tea, or enjoy the greenery of your Italian-like courtyard. Pergolas close to balconies overlooking the cliff is a staple of the coastal city of Portofino, Italy. Similarly, some house and lot developments available through Pag-IBIG in Metro Manila provide ample space in their residential lots where future residents may build their gazebo or pergola.

Add Fountains

Fountains add more vibrancy and refreshment to your garden. Mimic the traditional Tuscan-style gardens by placing a tiered fountain in the middle of your private park. Choose one that looks weathered and old to create the authentic Italian ambiance in your garden instantly. While tiered fountains are traditional in most Italian courtyards, a wall fountain is also suitable for mirroring an Italian garden’s familiar elements.

Place Climbing Roses

Because classical Italian gardens mainly utilize “greens” in their trees and shrubbery, add pops of color by planting climbing roses on your wall, entrance, trellises, and around your fountain. Entwine climbing roses or vines on the posts of your pergola to make it more secluded within your greenery. Climbing roses don’t just make your garden look more vibrant, but its vine characteristic creates the classic appearance of weathering and privacy.

Select Tough Plants

If you want your Italian garden to flourish throughout the seasons, choose tough plants that will withstand even the roughest weather conditions. Suitable greenery includes citrus trees, rosemary bushes, myrtle, Italian cypress, boxwoods, and junipers. Add jasmine, roses, and wisteria to make your courtyard more fragrant and have bits of color.

Incorporate Symmetry

Italian gardens are known for using symmetry. Prune the line of evergreens and bushes to create crisp straight lines to outline your garden. Surround your center fountain with plants shaped into cones, circles, or boxes. Place the same plants on both sides to create symmetry akin to the Renaissance style.

Decorate with Statuary

Add an Italian Renaissance flair to your garden by placing a few statues on your pathways or both sides of the entrance gate. Sculptures are an integral part of Italian gardens as they foster Italy’s artistic and classical past. Likewise, placing statues in focal points of your garden draws onlookers’ attention to those areas.

Create Tiled Pathways

Make walking around your garden more comfortable by placing tiled or stone pathways from your entrance to the fountain or pergola area. Tiled flooring is ideal for Italian-styled gardens as they mirror the flooring of Ancient Rome and the Renaissance. Adding pathways also create contrasting landscape lines that will make your garden more attractive.

Italian gardens are known for their proportion and romantic vibes, and for being an outdoor gallery of masterfully-crafted art. By following these eight helpful methods, you’ll experience a stylish and artistic Italian-inspired garden without having to fly to Italy