Beautiful weather in early June brought out a great group of volunteers who donated their time getting the Italian Cultural Garden in shape for summer.

Preparing the Italian Garden, dedicated in 1930, is a large, annual undertaking involving extensive spring cleanup, draining of the large Renaissance fountains, scrubbing and refilling the fountains, weeding both levels, tree trimming, laying mulch on both levels, planting the entrance pots and lower level beds and the final step of adding annual flowers to the existing fully-planted landscape.

The Italian Garden is very indebted to: Mike Spena of Spena Landscape Contractors who prepares the fountains, donates mulch and performs ongoing maintenance; Anthony Ianiro of Ianiro Landscape Management who manages the irrigation system and helps with maintenance; AJ Petitti of Petitti Garden Centers who graciously donates annuals each year on both levels and added to the permanent plantings; and Stan Lorence who trims ornamental trees, fertilizes plants and annually donates the entrance flowering pots and annuals on the lower level.

Volunteer weeders and planters this year were: Chuck Giomuso, Robert Lippucci, members of the Molisani Club, Mary Ann Baucco, Karen & Greg McCarthy, John Vallillo, Marianne Mitri, Anthony DiNardo, Jeanne Kachmarik Semilia, Wayne Farinacci, Tony Pinto, Christina Palmisano, Maya Lagman, Nina Chesmar, Gina DeBaltzo, Lisa Reid, Rebecca Spena McCalligan, Coleen & Dan Prendergast, Tom Antonnello, Diane and Laura DiPiero RodIo, Claudia Cull, and Dennis, Suzi and Giovanni Castiglione. 

If you would like to volunteer for the mid-summer weeding, please call 216-916-7780. We are accepting donations for the current restoration in progress in the garden. Your tax-deductible donation may be sent to:

Italian Cultural Garden Foundation
c/o Joyce Mariani, Executive Director
1284 SOM Center Rd.  # 316
Cleveland, Ohio 44124