The Entrance Avenue
The Villa’s arboreal heritage extends well beyond its perimeter: along the charming avenue that leads from Pontremoli to the gate, there are already five tree
They are
1) Prunus pissardi nigra,
2) Lagestroemia Indica (or St Bartholomew’s tree),
3) Sorbus Aucuparia (or Sorbus of the Birds),
4) Cercis Siliquastrum (or Judas Tree),
5) Crategus Carrierei Lavallei (or Hawthorn)
6) Flowering Pear (Pyrus Calleryana)
(Rich prizes for those who recognise them all!)
The Garden
Immediately after the famous Cedars of Lebanon, planted in 1863, we come across a variety of trees and plants that are in bloom from April to September: the jasmine (Rincospermum jasminoides), which grows on the northern side of the first row of arches, together with the white lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and the purple wisteria (Wisteria), perfume our spring.
On the upper floor there is a beautiful and very tall magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), two holm oaks (Quercus ilex), probably of the same age as the house, and a giant thuja (Thuja plicata).
All around, the beds are filled with scented and unscented roses of every colour, along with marigolds (Tagetes erecta, also known as the Indian carnation), completed by a beautiful red camellia, which heralds spring, and a younger magnolia.
An exceptionally large Osmanthus (Olea fragrans), just above the archway leading to the upper floor, blooms in September/October and is the most fragrant welcome to the waning summer season imaginable.
Many fragrant lemon trees, four fountains, three bas-reliefs on the walls of the house and three statues, in addition to those running along the gallery, enliven this little piece of paradise.
Outside the walls, near the door to the winter garden, is the hill where, over the years, different types of plants have been planted, colouring the hillside with countless shades of green.
