The Dolomites in mid-June 2023 - Day 2: La Villa to Corvara

On the Buses

In the morning Helen’s legs were feeling the awkward descent we made on Day 1. We had purchased weekly bus passes, and wanted to get some value from them. So we started the day with a circuitous trip on the buses, to see some of the places and views we had not visited the previous year.

Coral Root orchids

However, by early afternoon we were feeling more lively, so we got off the bus at La Villa, intending to walk back up the path along the river (the Ru Tort) to Corvara. We had been told about a possible site for Coral Root orchids (Corallorhiza trifida) along this path. We didn’t find them, either because of the late season, or because we failed to identify the site correctly. Or maybe the plants just weren’t there any more – last summer was a long hot drought in this part of Italy.

La Villa Meadows

Immediately the path left the main road in La Villa, meadows full of flowers slowed us to a halt. In 2022 at this date, the valley meadows were long past their best, and most had been cut for hay. This year they were glorious, with Yellow Rattle, Ox-eye daisies, Red Clover, Field scabious (Knautia arvensis), Buttercups, Goatsbeard (Tragopogon pratensis), Salvia pratensis, Onobrychis montana, Campanula glomerata, and more, all woven together into a wonderful tapestry.

Wildflower meadow with alpine plants in a mountainous region, showcasing diverse flora and scenic landscape at an alpine garden society location in the mountains.

Wildflower meadow with a variety of native plants, perfect for alpine gardens and natural landscaping. Beautiful colorful flowers, including daisies, purple loosestrife, and dandelions thriving in lush green grass.

Vibrant wildflower meadow with diverse Alpine plants including daisies, purple loosestrife, and yellow flowers, showcasing the natural beauty and biodiversity of alpine gardens.

Wildflower meadow with various colourful blooms including daisies, purple, yellow, and pink flowers, showcasing diverse alpine plants in a lush garden setting.

Oilseed Rape

As we wandered slowly down the path, we came to a section where the bank was foaming with oilseed rape.

Alpine garden scene with mountain backdrop, lush greenery, and charming house in the valley, ideal for alpine gardening and plant enthusiasts.

Vibrant yellow wildflowers growing on a hillside in the Alps, surrounded by lush green plants and mountain scenery, showcasing alpine flora for garden enthusiasts.

Campanula patula

The next wonderful scene mixed white daisies with the open, blowing bells of Campanula patula, one of my favourite campanulas. I have grown it from seed several times, but cannot get it to establish here.

Wildflower meadow with daisies, purple bellflowers, and lush green grass, ideal for alpine gardening and native plant enthusiasts.

Violet wildflowers in a lush garden setting, emphasizing alpine plants and native species for garden enthusiasts.

Salvia pratensis

We were down in the bottom of the valley now, approaching the river. In the next meadow, Meadow clary (Salvia pratensis) caught the eye. Along with the waving heads of the scabious.

Wildflower meadow at Alpine Garden Society collection, showcasing diverse native and alpine plants for gardening enthusiasts. Perfect for plant conservation and alpine plant cultivation.

Bright alpine garden with colourful wildflowers on a sloped hillside, surrounded by mountain scenery and pine trees, showcasing the beauty of cultivated alpine plants and garden design.

Familiar plants surrounded us – Vicia sepium, Trifolium pratense and Ranunculus acris.

Wild alpine plants and colourful flowers in a natural garden setting, showcasing native flora for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Pink alpine flower, vibrant blooming plant from the Alpine Garden Society collection, surrounded by lush green foliage and grass, perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant enthusiasts.

Wildflowers and lush greenery in a natural meadow, with bright yellow bloom and various grasses, representing a vibrant alpine garden setting for the Alpine Garden Society website image.

Wild Gentian flowering in alpine garden setting for conservation and natural habitat preservation.

Geranium sylvaticum

When we walked into more shaded areas, Geranium sylvaticum made a nice contrasting mix with the buttercups.

Wildflower meadow with yellow, purple, and green foliage, set against a backdrop of lush forest, capturing the beauty of alpine plant displays and natural gardening practices.

Violet wildflowers blooming in a lush green garden with grass and foliage background, perfect for alpine gardening enthusiasts.

Violet flowering plants in a lush green garden setting, showcasing alpine flora with vibrant purple blooms and lush foliage, ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Berberis vulgaris

The flowers of this Berberis puzzled me for a while, before I worked out what it was.

Viburnum tinus flowering shrub with green leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers, growing near a tree trunk in a garden setting.

Clematis alpina

Clematis alpina adorned the trees by the side of the path.

Snowdrop flowers blooming in an alpine garden setting, showcasing early spring blooms and lush greenery. Ideal for alpine garden enthusiasts and plant collectors.

Thalictrum aquilegifolium

Below, the frothy heads of Thalictrum aquilegifolium, and below that, wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca).

Wild white forest flowers in lush green woodland, showcasing alpine plant species suitable for garden enthusiasts and alpine gardens, with vibrant natural scenery.

White flower cluster of an alpine plant with large green leaves in the background, showcasing alpine gardening flora.

Alpine wildflowers with white petals and yellow stamens among green foliage.

Petasites hybridus

The leaves and seedheads of Butterburr (Petasites hybridus) lined the path, occasionally invading meadows, and looking rather like Gunnera in the sun.

Wildflower with large green leaves and fluffy white seed heads growing amidst lush grass and foliage in a natural garden setting.

Lush alpine garden with vibrant green foliage and flowering plants, ideal for hardy and alpine plants, showcasing natural beauty and horticultural diversity.

River

We climbed on slowly, as the river came rushing down to meet us.

Vibrant alpine stream flowing through lush green forest in mountain landscape, showcasing natural beauty and serenity for Alpine Garden Society enthusiasts.

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Woodland

Where the woods were thicker, we saw typical woodland species:

The purple and yellow flowers of Polygala chamaebuxus var grandiflorus which eluded us last year
Maianthemum bifolium
Paris quadrifolia
Saxifraga rotundifolia
Not to mention wood ants

Purple wildflowers in lush green grass with leaves and stems, natural garden plant scene, vibrant floral display, alpine wildflowers, garden blooms, conservation, native plants, biodiversity in the garden, habitat for pollinators, Alpine Garden Society.

Wild alpine plants and delicate white and blue flowers growing among rocks in a natural alpine garden setting.

Amphibious lily plants in a lush green alpine forest scene, showcasing natural plants suitable for alpine and woodland gardens, ideal for garden enthusiasts and plant lovers.

Six-legged green insect with long antennae on vibrant green leafy plant in alpine garden setting.

Delicate white alpine flowers thriving in lush green foliage, showcasing alpine gardening beauty and rare plant species.

Clump of earth covered with moss and plants in a lush green riverside setting in the Scottish Highlands during summer.

Back to Corvara

Eventually we crossed the river again, and wandered through meadows of cow parsley and bistort (Polygonum bistorta), back towards our hotel. A much shorter day, but a pleasant walk to stretch our legs out again.