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 
if&n arH E&xaion of WATER STAIRWAY 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. 
