THE GAKDENS BY THE LAKE OF COMO. 



209 



funebns (called here Cupressus drupacea), particularly good. In one 

 instance a tall climbing China Eose had entwined itself among the 

 branches with a picturesque effect. Of the genus Betinospora several 

 good specimens are to be met with. The Lebanon and the Hima- 

 layan Cedars — Cedrus Libani and G. Deodar a — were thriving as large 

 specimens, both evidently enjoying the clear atmosphere and the moist 

 heat. Araucaria braziliensis, tender in this country, was quite at 

 home there. 



One very fine feature is the dell, apparently a natural formation, 

 wherein are to be seen Hydrangea hortensis of a deep blue colour, 

 amid the shade of Bamboos and of Plane trees above them. One comes 

 upon all kinds of surprises in these gardens — here a lovely peep of the Lake, 

 with the mountains in the distance, and there in a sunny warm spot a 

 group of characteristic plants. For instance, upon almost inaccessible 

 ground there will be groups of Agaves, Aloes, Yuccas and the like, and 

 again groups of Phormiums where the soil is moist. If the ground slopes 

 more than usual, a congenial home is found for many of the Cactus 

 family, and Lotus pelyorhyncus thrives well in similar situations. In 

 quite moist and shaded spots Strobilanthes Dyerianus was growing well 

 and in good character, and not far from it I saw Maranta zebrina. The 

 better varieties of the stove Dracaenas were also succeeding well, being 

 bright in colour. For these and similar plants a carpeting was made 

 of Fittonia argyroneura. The large masses of Azalea indica alba were 

 particularly fine, and in their season must give a wealth of blossom ; 

 they were chiefly in groves or on grass. A fine old tree of Ginkgo biloba 

 (syn. Salisburia adiantifolia), with a Virginian Creeper, approaching its 

 autumnal tints, clinging to its stem and lower branches, formed a pretty 

 feature. In deep damp recesses there were large masses in rampant 

 growth of Adiantum capilhts-veneris. As at the Villa Vigoni, a free use 

 of Smilacina japonica was made for carpeting the ground where it was 

 hopeless to think of grass growing at all. 



This fine garden is full of interest to every plant-lover, and is kept in 

 admirable condition. A portion of the front, next the Lake and near the 

 Villa, has a fine avenue of Plane trees, which forms a cool resort during 

 the heat of the day. This avenue is alluded to by Longfellow in his 

 • Poem of Places.' 



' I pace the leafy colonnade 



Where level branches of the plane 

 Above me weave a leaf of shade 



Impervious to the summer rain.' 



From Cadenabbia it is easy to reach Bellagio by the steamers that ply 

 upon the Lake. The garden front of the Grand-Hotel Bretagne at 

 Cadenabbia is very well kept, and the Oleanders were just coming into 

 full flower, and Lagerstroemia indica, which had thriven so well in 

 the past as to have had a severe pruning, was now showing for flower 

 again. Tall palms, chiefly Chamaerops Fortunei, formed imposing 

 features. Wistaria sinensis was flowering quite freely owing to the exposed 

 situation and the warmth. Dianthus ' Napoleon III ' planted in masses 

 in beds was flowering well, and so were Celosias and Cockscombs. The 

 finest effect, however, was got from the large masses of Hydrangea 



