Luscious vegetation on Italy’s sun drenched terraces
Olive groves and orange orchards, fragrant meadows, vineyards and dramatic rock gorges – that is the quintessentially Ligurian landscape. It is the greenest and most densely wooded region in Italy, known to have a broader diversity of species than anywhere else in Europe. Thanks to the mild climate, flowers of all colours please the eye from early spring to late summer. Hence the well deserved name ‘Riviera of Flowers’.
The Mediterranean Macchia is overgrowing with palm trees, lemon and orange orchards, bougainvillea, oleander, hibiscus, red gillyflowers, bluebells, agave, wild lavender, thyme and local species only to be found in this region. The rolling hills come to life with the soft colours of green olive groves, vineyards, broom shrubs, daffodils, orchards, pine trees, oak trees, eucalyptus, field gentian and lilies of the valley.
Further up in the alpine region the dense woodland is made up of chestnut trees, birch and oak trees. Some 12% of the Ligurian land is declared as protected nature reserve providing the perfect habitat for golden eagles, wolfs, boars, foxes, badgers, owls and other preying birds. The lovingly preserved Hanbury Garden near Ventimiglia is a beautiful mix of exotic plants and the cacti collection in Ezé just above Monte Carlo is certainly worth visiting.
