The Orticola di Lombardia garden fair, held at the Indro Montanelli Public Gardens on Via Palestro, has been fostering an interest in and love for greenery for years, and through the “FuoriOrticola” initiative, it’s bringing a touch of spring to the storefronts of downtown Milan.

Following last year’s success—winning the flower-display contest with over 15,000 votes —Swiss Corner has once again taken center stage at Fuori Orticola as an exceptional venue and showcase for Switzerland, the country chosen as this year’s guest of honor.

Interpreting the theme of the 2024 Horticultural Market Fair, “Young Gardeners Grow,” the Swiss Chamber has reimagined the Swiss Corner this year as a grand Planetary Garden: a flower-filled oasis centered on nature, with humanity as its responsible steward.

A project that has prioritized sustainability, innovation, and respect for the environment.

Planetary Garden | Outside Orticola Swiss Corner | The Project

The outdoor area of the Swiss Corner has been redesigned as a large garden, with creative direction entrusted to the renowned Milanese landscape architect Vittorio Peretto (Hortensia Garden Design). A flower-filled garden that embodied the perfect blend of beauty and goodness: the simple beauty of wildflowers and the goodness of the flavors that nature bestows upon us.

Technical partner and supplier of plant material: Fondazione Minoprio ITS Academy, an institution dedicated to training, applied research, and outreach in the agri-food and horticulture sectors.

The floral window display—which is once again the centerpiece of this year’s contest—was created by IED—the European Institute of Design. Illustrator Margherita Caspani —an alumna of the institute—conceived a window display that puts design at the service of nature: illustrations evoking Swiss nature and three-dimensional floral elements crafted from paper, cardboard, and textured materials.

A journey that continues to explore Switzerland’s unspoiled landscapes, curated by Ferrovia Retica, which have illuminated the walls of Swiss Corner—all in the spirit of sustainability, with Repower —a leading company in the electricity sector and one of Switzerland’s top operators in renewable energy generation—which has installed its iconic E-LOUNGE benches, multifunctional designer benches, on the Swiss Corner patio.