The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens Special
The gardening and plant market exhibition at Paderna Castle
About The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens
A Green Market Exhibition in the Heart of a Medieval Castle
The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens Special is the spring gardening event held in the gardens of Paderna Castle, an ancient fortified village located in the Municipality of Pontenure, in the province of Piacenza, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Established in 2015 as a branch dedicated exclusively to the garden of the historic autumn event for ancient fruits (active since 1996), this spring edition has become one of the most anticipated events for botany and nature enthusiasts in Northern Italy.
Exhibitors, Nurseries, and Biodiversity
For two days, the castle transforms into a flowery oasis welcoming around 130 selected exhibitors from all over Italy: specialized nursery owners, small entrepreneurs, and farmers preserving ancient plant varieties. Among the stalls, you'll find English and old roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, rhododendrons, lavenders, salvias, succulents, and aquatic plants, as well as garden tools, outdoor furniture, books, and artisan creations. The common thread of the event is the care for the region's plant complexity and the promotion of biodiversity.
Conferences, Workshops, and Botanical Walks
Alongside the exhibition, the program offers a packed schedule of talks with experts, book presentations, botanical walks, and numerous workshops, both free and paid. Topics include English roses and climate change, the world of beneficial insects and biological pest control, rewilding, and "healing gardens" (therapeutic gardens). Workshops range from creating mini-bouquets and spring wreaths to preparing a herbarium, from botanical watercolor courses to bonsai cultivation.
An Event for the Whole Family
The Gardens Special is also designed for children, with a dedicated program including traditional games, a mini safari to discover insects, building bee hotels, a green library, and planting activities. The setting within the walls, courtyards, and park of Paderna Castle makes the visit an immersive experience where nature, history, and landscape culture intertwine.
Within the Walls of Paderna Castle
Paderna Castle is a rare example of a medieval fortified rural village in the Piacenza area, with its parish church, farmhouses, and gardens providing a natural backdrop for the event. The exhibition, historically structured with an autumn edition dedicated to ancient fruits and this spring edition dedicated to gardens, helps to promote a valuable architectural and landscape heritage located in the countryside between Piacenza and the Via Emilia.
The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens — edition 2026
2026 Edition: "Harmony. Nature Through Different Eyes"
The 2026 edition of the Gardens Special, the tenth of the spring event, was held on May 16 and 17 at Paderna Castle, in Pontenure, under the theme "Harmony. Nature Through Different Eyes". Around 130 exhibitors enlivened the two days with plants, flowers, tools, and garden furniture.
Program and Guests
The schedule featured numerous talks with experts: including Mauro Balboni on European rewilding, Francesco Croci on insects and biodiversity, Paolo Pozzo on English roses and climate change, architect Monica Botta on "healing gardens", as well as the presentation of the book "Plant Merchants" by Silvia Fogliato. Workshops included botanical watercolor, bonsai cultivation, herbarium and wreath making, alongside activities for children.
Programme The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens 2026
Saturday, May 16, 2026
- 10:30 AM – "Young People's Beautiful Agriculture" with Giulia Repetti and mini-bouquet making
- 11:30 AM – Mauro Balboni, "Towards Future Harmonies": European rewilding and the return of wildlife
- 3:30 PM – Presentation of the book "Plant Merchants" by Silvia Fogliato
- 4:00 PM – Francesco Croci on insects and biodiversity
- 5:00 PM – "Five O'Clock Tea" with tasting (max 25 people)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
- 10:00 AM – Herbarium workshop with Mimma Pallavicini
- 11:00 AM – Francesco Croci, "Beneficial Insects" and biological pest control
- 12:00 PM – Tasting of mineral waters with sommelier Monica Fornasari
- 2:30 PM – Paolo Pozzo on English roses and climate change
- 4:30 PM – "Healing Gardens" with architect Monica Botta
Highlights The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens 2026
- Around 130 selected exhibitors from all over Italy
- 17 talks with botany and environment experts
- Workshops on watercolor, bonsai, herbarium, and floral arrangements
- Activities for children: mini insect safari, bee hotels, green library
- Setting within the fortified village of Paderna Castle
Prices The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens 2026
Practical information — The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens
How to Get Here
Paderna Castle is located in Pontenure (PC), in the Paderna area, in the Piacenza countryside. By car: take the A1 motorway, exit at Piacenza Sud, or take the Via Emilia (SS9) towards Pontenure. By train: Pontenure station on the Piacenza–Parma line, then continue towards the hamlet of Paderna.
Opening Hours
The event is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on both days.
Tickets
Full price €10.00; reduced price €8.00 (advance purchase, groups of at least 15 people, Touring Club members, over 75s). Free admission for children under 14 and people with disabilities. Some workshops are free, others require a fee and mandatory booking.
Tips
Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for outdoor paths are recommended. Refreshment areas are available within the event.
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Where does it take place — The Fruits of the Castle – Gardens
Castello di Paderna
Località Paderna 2, 29010 Pontenure