Hydrangea Festival

One of Italy's premier horticultural events

The Hydrangea Festival is one of the most well-known and anticipated horticultural gatherings in Italy. Every year, during the second weekend of June, the village of Bolsena, in the province of Viterbo and in the heart of the Lazio Tuscia, transforms into an open-air garden along the charming Viale Colesanti, the elegant tree-lined promenade that runs along the shores of Lake Bolsena.

The event has its roots in the early 20th century, when the first ornamental hydrangeas were planted in the villas along the avenue and the lakefront. Thanks to the mineral-rich volcanic soil and the abundance of water, the plants flourished and spread throughout the town, which today boasts over 120 varieties. This vocation gave birth to the festival, which has grown over the years to become a national and international benchmark.

Nurserymen, botanical collections, and rare plants

The heart of the event is the large exhibition market: over fifty selected nurserymen, ranging from historic names to new players on the national scene, offer a wide and refined overview of the world of hydrangeas, from classic varieties to collections rarely found outside specialized circuits. Alongside the hydrangeas, you will find:

• rare plants, perennial herbs, and unusual botanical varieties;
• citrus fruits, aromatic plants, succulents, roses, and aquatic plants;
• artistic crafts, ceramics, textiles, and items for the home and garden;
• botanical creations, soaps, herbal teas, spices, honey, and other local delicacies.

More than just flowers: culture, embroidery, and tradition

The Hydrangea Festival is also a journey into the culture and traditions of the Bolsena community. Among the side events, the participation of the Bolsena Ricama association stands out, with an exhibition dedicated to the arts of embroidery and lace, and the A Flower for Bolsena competition, which each year reinterprets a different flower using techniques such as Orvieto Lace, Filet a modano, Macramé, Boutis, and Hairpin lace. A high-quality gastronomic path, featuring the most appreciated local producers, completes the visit between one stall and another.

The village and Lake Bolsena

Walking along Viale Colesanti during the festival means immersing yourself in a unique setting: on one side, stalls overflowing with blooms, and on the other, the blue mirror of Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. The event, organized by the Municipality of Bolsena together with the Pro Loco and the Amici delle Ortensie Association, attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy every year, confirming its status as one of the most anticipated events of the Lazio summer.