Orticola 2025 returns to Milan, among flowers and “Ascot” hats

Orticola has begun, the most colorful, chic and green event in Milan: the floriculture market exhibition with more than 150 exhibitors that until May 11th welcomes visitors and the curious at the Palestro Gardens. This year's title is "Bio bio bio, in giardino c'è vita", to underline the value of biodiversity and its natural imperfection in sustainable gardening.

Among the novelties: collections of poisonous plants, carnivorous aquatic plants, lilies of the valley and aromatic plants, hybrid roses never exhibited before, recovered ancient fruit and vines, rare and exotic plants, wild field plants. But also workshops, beauty corners and – last but not least – the inevitable parade of outfits of the “Milanese ladies” from which to take inspiration for your own looks.

The story

It was way back in 1865 that the Orticola di Lombardia company was born, thanks to the idea of ​​Count Pertusati, owner of one of the most beautiful gardens in Milan in his palace in Corso di Porta Vigentina, Egidio Gavazzi and Crown Prince Umberto of Savoy. On 5 April 1866 the first edition of Orticola was inaugurated, with the presence of the Duchess of Genoa in the hall of Palazzo Dugnani and the nurserymen, the gardeners of the most important patrician villas of the time, including the head gardener of the House of Savoy. The city's greenery was already being taken care of in the 19th century, just a few years after the Unification of Italy and with the capital still in Florence, thanks also to the royal support of the honorary presidents, King Umberto I and later Vittorio Emanuele III. Lords, princes and ladies were committed to promoting horticulture, botany and landscape art, and participated in the event with impeccable dress looks.

The best outfits from Orticola 2025

Orticola has always been visited by lovers of greenery and flowers, but also by personalities of Milanese culture and high society, especially by the most elegant ladies (and gentlemen) of Milan who, as at the famous Chelsea Flower Show in London and at the Ascot races, usually wear delicious hats decorated with flowers and floral and country outfits. Often, guests are accompanied by their four-legged friends. Here is our selection of street style.