With the patronage of APGI (Italian Parks and Gardens Association) and the Tuscan Horticultural Society, Serra Moresca offers an unforgettable day thanks to an exclusive event immersed in the fairytale greenhouse dating back to 1840. Designed by the romantic architect Giuseppe Jappelli, with its polychrome stained glass windows recently restored, a reading, personalities from the world of gardens, designers, historians and, last but not least, the scientific community of botanists: these are the ingredients of the presentation of the Agenda della Giardiniera 2026 – i Cappelli (Gardener’s Diary 2026 – Hats) dedicated to the accessory of elegance and refinement par excellence, the hat.
Nicoletta Campanella, author and publisher of the diary, now in its fifth successful edition, chose this theme for this year’s publication. “From seeds to hats for a long break in the garden,” explains Campanella, “revisiting the ways and fashions, customs and traditions of this highly distinctive accessory, through anecdotes and details of style, biographies of unknown gardeners of the past and ancient female crafts,” and concludes with aninvitation to wear a hat, because it is “a gesture that frees ideas, imagination, and desires. So, chapeau!”
L’Agenda della Giardiniera is a book to consult and leaf through, with light-hearted stories of botany, history, customs, and the ornamentation of 24 roses chosen and described by Rita Oliva, collector and scholar of the genre. It is also a useful diary to write in for those who make it their own. Actress Eva Cela will read carefully selected passages, accompanied by moderator Federica Corsini, journalist for TG2, to those present, who are required to wear a hat as an essential dress code.
The Gardener’s Diary 2026 is a refined annual diary that combines botany, history, customs, and curiosities, enriched by the now indispensable selection of 24 roses.
It is designed for gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone looking for daily inspiration.
The theme for 2026 is the gardener’s hat, explored in all its forms: from the work hat to the flowered straw hat, from the cloche to the winter beret. Campanella traces its history through anecdotes, biographies, and style details, evoking female figures such as Countess Mary Gayley Senni, Matilde Serao, and Grazia Deledda. A photo gallery celebrates the ladies of gardening past and present.
The story extends to the origins of the famous Cappello di Paglia di Firenze (Florence Straw Hat), an icon of Made in Italy born from the work of the braiders of the Florentine Plain, a symbol of female emancipation on a par with tobacco and rice workers.
As always, the Agenda intertwines past and present: it offers visits to Italian gardens, such as Villa Le Barone and Castel Ruggero, and botanical itineraries designed by agronomists Elena Macellari and Mario Ronzano.
There is no shortage of roses, the heart of the publishing house: Rita Oliva presents a collection of Centifolia, famous for their opulent flowers and rich artistic history—from “Chapeau de Napoléon” to “Bullata,” to the curious “Le Rire Niais.”
In conclusion, the 2026 Gardener’s Diary is an elegant monograph to read and use every day: a cultured and inspiring tool that celebrates garden culture through stories, images, and refined details.
The event represents a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the evocative atmosphere of the Serra Moresca, a place rich in history and charm. The presence of many figures from the world of botany will enrich the day and provide an opportunity to learn more about the world of roses. Guests will include Alberta Campitelli, Vice President of APGI, and Angelita Benelli, President of the Domenico Michelacci Straw and Weaving Museum Association in Signa, who will bring a representative selection of historical hats. Also in attendance will be Domenico Savini, historian of royal families, Beatrice Barni, the only female voice in Italian rose hybridization, and Patrizia Fabri, designer at Antica Manifattura Cappelli.
The Serra Moresca, Museums of Villa Torlonia, in Via Siracusa Snc, is a place that stands out for its uniqueness and distinctiveness, and this special event will be the perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover it in a new light.
For more information, visit https://www.nicla-arte.org/
