VILLAS ON THE LAKE OF COMO 



49 



gardens contain an immense variety of semi-tropical plants and trees. A large area of the hillside 

 is devoted to azaleas, and the sight of these in full blossom during the late spring, a glorious 

 blaze of colour, is one never to be forgotten. 



Near to Cadenabbia at Tremezzo is the water-stairway illustrated in Plate 13. The plan is 

 interesting, and its curved lines are most effective. In the centre is a small balcony supported 

 upon a single console. The rich green of the overshadowing plane-trees is a delightful contrast 

 to the grey colour tones of the granite steps. Other water entrances are frequently to be met 



:=a 



O: 



f* C^*H^O 



C A^T r_ 



o 



ROAD 



^/^r, a^ &n.^anon cf WAl ER 5TX|RW>\Y at TREMEZZO. 





with along the lakeside and show much ingenuity in their variety of treatment. Several are to 



^- 



be seen in the neighbourhood of the one here illustrated. 



At Bellaggio is the Villa Melzi with a 'giardino inglese,' tropical vegetation, and much 

 carpet bedding of an uninteresting character. Across the water the Villa Andreossi, at Varenna, 

 has a charming terraced garden, and not far off, at Fiumelato, a quaint little fountain courtyard 

 and cascade behind, with grotto characteristic of the eighteenth century. 



\ 



