Beyond the Museums: The Hidden Beauty of Vatican Gardens

April 30, 2025
Larry Hurley
Inspiration, Public Gardens
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Rome: Vatican Gardens from St. Peter's Dome

The recent death of Pope Francis made me think about Rome, which I was lucky enough to visit twice. This photo is of part of the Vatican Gardens, taken June 16, 2005, from the roof of Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Most people who visit Rome see the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel. “Plant people” should add a visit to the Vatican gardens to their list of things to do.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. According to Wikipedia, the gardens cover 57 acres, about half of the size of Vatican City.

Guided tours only, but well worth the expense and the time.

Larry Hurley

Larry Hurley worked at Behnke Nurseries from 1984 until the business was composted in 2019, primarily with the perennial department in growing, buying and sales.

Before landing at Behnke’s, he worked as a technician in a tissue culture lab, a houseplant “expert” at a florist shop, and inventory controller at a wholesale nursery in Dallas. With this and that, ten years passed.

When his wife Carolyn accepted a position at Georgetown University, Larry was hired at Behnke’s for the perennial growing department and garden center at Behnke’s Largo location.

In 2021, Larry and Carolyn moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and further from traffic. After 37 years in a shaded yard in Maryland, he is happy to have a sunny lot where he can grow all sorts of new perennials, if only he can keep the rabbits at bay. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and the snowblower.