Menta e Rosmarino
Botany, art, and landscape at Villa Nigra, on Lake Orta
About Menta e Rosmarino
A garden of ideas on Lake Orta
Every year in mid-June, the park of Villa Nigra in Miasino (Province of Novara, Piedmont) transforms into a sprawling, open-air garden. Menta e Rosmarino is a botanical market exhibition organized by the Asilo Bianco Association—founded in 2005 in Ameno—which for over a decade has woven together high-quality nursery gardening with contemporary art, design, and environmental reflection. It is more than just a plant fair; it is a cultural journey where nature becomes a language.
Villa Nigra, a 17th-century setting overlooking the lake
The event takes place within the grounds and park of Villa Nigra, a 17th-century residence that dominates the hills with views of Lake Orta. In this setting, visitors can stroll among nursery stands, participate in workshops, and visit art exhibitions hosted inside the villa. The event is held in Piazza Beltrami, in the center of Miasino, one of the most charming villages in the Cusio region.
Nurserymen, rare plants, and green culture
The heart of the event remains the encounter with Italy's best nurserymen, selected for the rarity and quality of their plants. Alongside the stands, a dense program of workshops, walks, meetings, and presentations dedicated to environmental sustainability and botanical creativity unfolds. Each edition features a different theme, designed to reinterpret the garden from a cultural perspective and foster a dialogue with the lakeside territory.
Contemporary art and side exhibitions
A distinctive feature of Menta e Rosmarino is the presence of contemporary art exhibitions hosted at Villa Nigra, which remain open for several weeks beyond the main weekend. Artists, ceramicists, designers, and photographers showcase works inspired by the plant world, transforming the villa into an indoor and outdoor exhibition space.
An event for the entire Cusio region
With the support of the Municipality of Miasino and numerous local partners, Menta e Rosmarino has become one of the most anticipated botanical and cultural events in Northern Piedmont. With free admission, a relaxed atmosphere, and a day to spend among plants, ideas, and landscapes, it is the perfect destination for those who love greenery and want to discover a hidden corner of Lake Orta.
Menta e Rosmarino — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Menta e Rosmarino, the fourteenth, focused on aquatic plants, in direct dialogue with the landscape of Lake Orta. The event, organized by the Asilo Bianco Association presided over by Angelo Molinari, brought together specialized nurserymen, hobbyists, artists, and plant experts at Villa Nigra.
Alongside the nursery stands, a program of workshops and meetings took place, while three contemporary art exhibitions accompanied the main weekend, remaining open until June 27. Awards dedicated to nurserymen and hobbyists highlighted the best displays and the rarity of the plants on show.
Programme Menta e Rosmarino 2026
Saturday, June 13
- 11:00-12:00 — Workshop "More nature, less maintenance" with Giampiero Gauna (Isola Larga)
- 11:30 — Meeting with Emma Zanella, Giovanni Orsini, Enrica Borghi, and Beatrice Cuccirelli
Sunday, June 14
- 10:30 — Presentation of Corto e Fieno 2026 with Cristian Cerutti
- 11:00-12:00 — Workshop "Wild plants in the garden" with Giampiero Gauna
Nurserymen and guests
- Sergio and Monica — aquatic plants
- Il Giardino di Fà (Fabio Perottino)
- Il Giardino di Famiglia (Slowflowers Italy network)
- Renato Ronco, awarded at the 2026 Orticola Exhibition in Milan
- Gianfranco Giustina, gardener; Natale Surano, landscape architect of the Palermo Botanical Garden; Albert Husband, Master Oil Sommelier
Side exhibitions (until June 27)
- "Corollario" — solo exhibition by Michele Chiossi
- "Never say where you go mushroom picking" — special project with Virginia Cancian and Alessio Bongianino
- "A part of the whole and a part of the part" — Marion Baruch in dialogue with Enrica Borghi
The inauguration of the exhibitions took place on Saturday, June 6, at 6:00 PM.
Highlights Menta e Rosmarino 2026
Prices Menta e Rosmarino 2026
Practical information — Menta e Rosmarino
Location
Villa Nigra, Piazza Beltrami 5, 28010 Miasino (NO), in the hills of Lake Orta.
How to get there
By car: take the A26 motorway, exit at Borgomanero, then follow signs for Orta/Miasino. By train: Orta-Miasino station on the Novara-Domodossola line, just a few minutes from the center. By plane: Milan Malpensa Airport is about an hour's drive away.
Hours and admission
Standard opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is free. Side exhibitions continue for several weeks after the main weekend.
Contacts
Associazione Asilo Bianco, Via Zanoni 17, Ameno (NO) — tel. +39 388 9837952 — www.asilobianco.it
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Where does it take place — Menta e Rosmarino
Villa Nigra
Piazza Beltrami 5, 28010 Miasino