THE GARDENS BY THE LAKE OF COMO. 



211 



oneself in one of our Devonshire gardens, the Firs and other forest trees 

 being of large size with broad grassy walks among them. 



Our next visit was to the Villa Giulia which occupies a unique 

 position : the front of the Villa faces in the direction of Cadenabbia, 

 whereas the gardens run down to the water upon the Lecco branch of 

 the Lake. Towards Cadenabbia there is a broad avenue of the upright 

 Cypress which forms an imposing feature, now that the trees are well 

 developed, from whichever end it is viewed. At the entrance there is 

 a large group of Chamaerops Fortunei consisting of many tall specimens 

 of different heights. Here again the blue Hydrangea was seen just at 

 the season when at its best. Several specimens of the Date Palm also 

 grow towards the pleasure grounds on the farther side of the Villa. An 

 avenue of Horse Chestnuts, casting a heavy shade and affording a cool 

 retreat, is planted in the pleasure grounds. Araucaria braziliensis 

 thrives, and in favoured situations palms, including Phoenix canariensis, 

 were growing into large trees. A distinct-looking Euonymus called 

 E. fimbriata, which is not hardy, I think, with us, grows in this garden. 

 Magnolia grandiflora, where seen as it is here, and in other favoured 

 localities, of tall growth and pyramidal outline, with its lustrous green 

 foliage, is a distinctly fine feature of the garden. 



A grand view is obtained from the garden front facing down the 

 Lake (the Lecco branch) across to the mountains beyond. The best 

 specimen hitherto seen on this tour of Latania borbonica (syn. Livistona 

 australis) occurs here; it was growing well, but cannot, even at its best, be 

 a serious rival of either Chamaerops Fortunei or of Pritchardia pacifica. 



A great feature of this garden is presented by the terraces by which 

 the Lake is at last reached. They do not form an obtrusive feature, and 

 each plateau and the walks also are clothed with verdure. No set design 

 is aimed at, but every plant is placed with due thought and regard to 

 its requirements. The upright Cypress was planted in appropriate spots 

 and grown into specimens exceedingly good and vigorous. Upon one 

 of them a Wistaria had established itself for support, reaching 30 feet 

 or more up the stem. Tall Oleanders were jutting out of the walls and, 

 as usual, flowering freely. A fine avenue of Citrus was formed of 

 specimens in large vases. In a shaded spot a group of Justicia rosea, 

 in full flower, formed an uncommon feature in the open garden. For 

 the first time I noticed Brugmansia suaveolens, and it was flowering 

 well. (It is to be regretted that this Brugmansia is not more grown 

 in English gardens than it is. Where not infested by the insect that 

 punctures its leaves in quite an early stage of development it forms 

 a fine plant. What the insect is, I do not know.) Where water 

 drips from terrace to terrace, fine masses of Papyrus antiquorum 

 and Arundo Donax variegata were planted. Groups of Azaleas were 

 also planted on these terraced gardens. The Wistaria is found most 

 useful for covering the balustrades, and Magnolia conspicua finds a 

 congenial home on the walls along with Bignonia capreolata, which 

 is no doubt the best species to grow outside in England. Sophora 

 japonica pendula was so planted and grown as to form a grateful 

 shade for a seat ; Laurus Camphora had monopolized a considerable 

 space, and formed a fine feature, not so fine, however, or so large as 

 the large specimen in the gardens at Isola Bella, on Lake Maggiore. 



