Investment Pottery: Italian Terra Cotta

Nestled in the hills just a few kilometers from Florence, Italy, the small town of Impruneta is home to the very best terra cotta (cooked earth) pottery...

  • Topic: Container Gardening
  • Author: By Bob Ross
  • Keywords: Terra cotta, pottery, clay, container
  • Date: April 2006

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Nestled in the hills just a few kilometers from Florence, Italy, the small town of Impruneta is home to the very best terra cotta (cooked earth) pottery in the world. With a history of pottery making that goes back to the Medici period, around the 13th century. several artisan families are still engaged in making these pots. The production of these handmade treasures uses secrets and skills that have been passed down through the generations.

Art in the Garden

We’ve brought several of these traditional and classically designed pieces to Santa Fe Greenhouses. Use them as stand-alone art or for container gardens. These are very exceptional pieces and certainly considered “investment level pottery.” Not fragile at all, this pottery is sturdy and rugged. Each piece is hand-crafted using the world’s best clay that is mined in the surrounding hills of Florence and fired at extremely high temperatures.

Exceptional Weather Resistance

Known for its beautiful pale pink color that ages to a wonderful patina, each terra cotta container is able to withstand temperatures to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. This means they’ll withstand Santa Fe’s winters beautifully and can easily be used for year- round container gardens.

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For Custom Container Designing contact Bob Ross, our Master Container Garden Consultant, at 473-2700, ext.3010. Call him with your questions or to set up a container consultation.