Another place where natural history
and education are combined is the Giardino Esperia, established
by the Modena section of the CAI (Italian Ramblers' Association)
at Passo del Lupo, at the foot of Mount Cimone, 1500 metres above
sea level. This garden of three hectares, with its adjoining
park with benches, stone-paved paths and small bridges, contains
a cafe, a beech wood, beds of alpine flowers (including edelweiss),
many species of flowers found on the surrounding mountains, and
herbs. Open from mid May to the end of September, the garden
offers special attractions throughout the summer months, from
the crocus in early May and the globeflowers and gentians in the
middle of the month to the orchids in mid June, the mountain thistles
and saxifrages in mid August, the poisonous berries and delicious
redcurrents and sorbus fruits in mid September, and the bilberries,
strawberries and raspberries. Of course there are also times
when no spectacular flowers are in full bloom, but visitors can
console themselves by visiting the herbarium, a real garden within
the garden, where well preserved flowers of various species are
always on display. The most special feature of the Esperia is
its practice of providing full details about every species present,
including its scientific and common name, habitat, flowering time
and pharmacological properties, as well as any interesting folk
traditions concerning it. Many plants and flowers are accompanied
by signs carrying quotations from poems about them. A visitors'
route with signs in braille for the visually impaired was established
in 1989.
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