The gardens of Italy are iconic, and you can bring this charm to your own backyard. We show you how with recommendations for Italian plants and design elements.

The Italian Cultural Garden was formally opened October 12, 1930, with the joint celebration of Columbus Day and the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the Italian poet, Virgil.

From the street, Florence Welborn’s North Slope garden looks like most other Northwest gardens: tall maples and conifers, some rhododendrons. But peer over the edge of the wall and you’re in ...