It’s always fun to find Gardenista-worthy gardens and shops in places where they’re least expected. During a recent trip to Switzerland, I visited the tiny village of Samedan, in the Engadin Valley. On a gray, drizzly day, I was passing the time by taking a walk through town. I rounded a somber stone corner to meet a riot of colorful plants, mostly tucked into simple baskets and bins. It was exactly the kind of charming village florist I’d hope to find in a charming cottage town. And on closer inspection, I even spotted a few alpine plants.
Photography by Meredith Swinehart.
Above: What grows well in Switzerland? By the looks of flower shop Blumen Malgiaritta-Defilla in Samedan, seemingly everything. Here, deep purple heuchera next to a pot of lavender.
Above: The shop sits on one side of a stone town square. Delphiniums and crisp white and bright pink hydrangeas provide much-needed color.
Above: Edelweiss, the snow-white symbol of the Alps.
Above: An enzian plant, known to us as gentian, tucked into a metal bowl. The roots of this alpine plant are used to make Switzerland’s gentian liqueurs.
Above: Orange capsicum peppers–not native to Switzerland, but a nice source of color.
Above: Close-up of a winter-white hydrangea.
Above: The plants on offer look especially appealing because of the way they’re tucked into clever baskets, boxes, and bowls.
Read about a charming flower shop in Copenhagen in Blomsterskuret, the World’s Most Beautiful Flower Shop? And of course England has plenty of charming flower shops. Read about one of them in Shopper’s Diary: Flowers From Miss Pickering.
Traveling this summer? Visit our Destinations guide to find Florists, Restaurants, Hikes, and more around the world.
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