From 1 to 4 October, Villa Erba in Cernobbio will host the latest edition of Orticolario, the celebrated garden festival where botany, art and design engage in a dialogue with the surrounding landscape
There comes a moment, while cruising across Lake Como, when the journey begins to slow down. The mountains draw closer, historic villas emerge from lush gardens, and sunlight dances across the water. It is within this timeless landscape that the Orticolario experience unfolds. From 1 to 4 October 2026, Villa Erba in Cernobbio will host a new edition of the event dedicated to a contemporary vision of gardening, where botany, art, design and culture come together in an immersive journey designed to inspire and delight.
Rediscovering the power of imagination
The title of the 2026 edition, “En rêverie”, celebrates the desire to rediscover the power of imagination. After all, every garden begins as a dream long before it is planted or designed—a vision, an emotion, an idea of the relationship between people and nature. “Orticolario is not simply a plant exhibition,” explains Moritz Mantero, President of Orticolario. “It is a place to pause, observe and be inspired. An experience where the landscape of Lake Como enters into dialogue with artistic installations, temporary gardens, rare plants and innovative design projects”.
The extraordinary setting of Villa Erba thus becomes an integral part of the narrative. The park, the lake, and the history of the location come together to create an atmosphere unlike any other—where beauty is more than something to admire; it becomes a way to inspire care, enhance knowledge, and nurture a lasting respect for nature. Perhaps the most authentic way to arrive at Orticolario is the one the lake itself suggests: stepping aboard a ferry, slowing down, and letting the gentle crossing carry you to Villa Erba. Because the journey is not just a passage to a destination; it is an invitation to prepare the mind and spirit for an encounter with wonder.
After all, every dream begins on the water
