The old saying “March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers” is expressed somewhatand paint a picture of April and May as the key to unlock the rest of the year, with April bringing flowers and May an abundance of colour. There are indeed many flower festivals around Italy during this period, including the spectacular Infiorata di Noto (17-21 May), while in Florence the historic Giardini dell’Iris opens for just 20 days from the beginning of May, celebrating the iris, an ancient symbol of the city, in all its magnificent flowering glory. You’ll find this botanical garden to the eastern side of Piazzale Michelangelo. For more info and this year’s opening times, visit
