Most gardens, especially the ones in Florence, take some time to walk through. They have beautiful displays of flowers and trees that make for a lovely afternoon in the park. 

This week at the Palazzi Community Center, students and visitors were shown a type of garden that you don’t have to walk through. All you have to do is look up. The American University of Florence (AUF) partnered with the Palazzi Community Center to hold an informational session about vertical gardens to improve indoor and outdoor environments by fusing nature and technology. The session featured an engaging discussion with Tiziano Codiferro, a renowned gardener and owner of Tiziano Codiferro - Maestro Giardiniere. Codiferro explained the complexities of vertical gardens: installation, structure, and the many advantages they offer to workplaces and homes.

What Are Vertical Gardens? 

Vertical gardens are dynamic works that introduce natural elements into indoor and outdoor spaces - they can be built on all buildings. These garden structures can tower up to 15 or 20 feet high. A thorough site survey is necessary before putting up a vertical garden; these take into account elements like sunshine exposure, humidity levels, and ease of upkeep to make a successful vertical garden. 

Vertical gardens come in two primary varieties: wall-anchored and self-supporting. An integrated irrigation system is essential to guaranteeing that plants receive the required water supply, regardless of the design. 

The Expert’s Insight 

Tiziano Codiferro, the proprietor of Tiziano Codiferro - Maestro Giardiniere and a well-known gardener, offered his knowledge on the advantages of incorporating the vertical designs into daily settings, translated by Palazzi Community Center Director, Valentina Monacò. 

"Compared to an office with plain white walls, a workspace with plants offers a completely different experience," he says.

Stress is decreased, and productivity is increased when greenery is around. He also emphasizes the practical advantages of vertical gardens, pointing out that people may cultivate and eat their food. He also reiterates the usefulness and sustainability of green walls, pointing out that common fruits such as strawberries can be grown in someone’s office and eaten. Tiziano Codiferro stresses that studies repeatedly demonstrate how natural settings improve people's quality of life, giving individuals a sense of accomplishment when they can take care of their plants and see results as they grow. 

Tiziano Codiferro has spent the last three and a half years teaching people about plants. He holds classes once a week in the winter and twice a week in the spring and summer. When he changed jobs and enrolled in the Scuola Agraria del Parco di Monza, close to Milan, at the age of 38, he started his career as a professional gardener. 

Where Can I Learn More? 

At events like AUF's vertical garden information session, attendees get a rare opportunity to learn more about botanical science and sustainable living. "People should come to this event to understand and get closer to the world of botany," Tiziano Codiferro says. In addition to educating participants on the technical elements of vertical gardens, the program emphasizes their wider implications for sustainability, urban development, and mental health.

Vertical gardens are a creative way to incorporate nature into everyday living, which is in line with the growing need for green solutions in urban areas. These installations, whether utilized for food production, air purification, or aesthetics, are prime examples of how nature and contemporary technology may coexist.

The American University of Florence continues to provide educational opportunities that connect creativity and environmental responsibility. In response to a growing need for sustainable design, the need for a connection between people and nature is imperative in today’s society. Events such as these inspire more people to try something new, adding a touch of green into more of their personal and professional lives.