Italian gardener Stefano Passerotti promotes nature stewardship through design

Stefano Passerotti, a fourth-generation gardener from Florence, Italy, advocates for a shift in how people interact with and perceive natural spaces.

He describes his role as a custodian rather than a mere laborer, emphasizing a responsibility to observe, protect, and share knowledge about the environment. Passerotti argues that modern society often overlooks the subtle messages of nature and that human intervention can sometimes hinder natural growth.

Passerotti aims to help people notice what they usually miss by telling the stories of spontaneous plants and explaining why certain terrains require respect. He believes that his work involves sowing knowledge by sharing personal experiences and the tactile sensations of working with the earth. He seeks to reconnect people with the physical reality of soil and the rhythms of the natural world. His approach to gardening also informs his international work.

Since 2003, Passerotti has participated in various Flower Shows, including events in Birmingham, Chelsea, Hampton Court, Japan, and Singapore. In these competitions, he designs gardens within limited spaces to communicate specific messages about the relationship between humans and nature. He views these installations as a way to circulate a different culture of greenery to a global audience.