Some called it the most beautiful tree in the world. The Kashmir cypress on Isola Madre, the longest-lived and largest species in Europe, was about 200 years old and 25 meters high when it was uprooted by a hurricane in 2006. On the Borromean Islands, plants are considered as living monuments that conserve stories and beauty. So it was that, with the help of 18 tie rods, a team of gardeners and technicians managed to reposition the tree in front of the Palace, where still today it is testimony to the charm of a seedling from the Himalayas that matured at the foot of the Alps. A story of passion and of respect, one of the many that recount the history of Isola Madre’s English-style garden.

It was created in the early nineteenth century and was cultivated, primarily, by the passionate naturalist Vitaliano IX who introduced seeds, botanical rarities and potted plants from all over the world.

Continuous blooms transform and colour every corner of the park in sync with the rhythm of the seasons: from magnolias to bamboo, wisteria, citrus fruits, camellias and magnificent rhododendrons plus, hibiscus, bougainvillea and morning glory, not forgetting the ponds brimming with water lilies and lotus flowers.

Here eucalyptus, palm and banana trees coexist in harmony with conifers and maples. The lake’s mild climate has facilitated the flowering of rare plant essences from the most diverse latitudes. Such as the terrace of proteas, a prehistoric flower symbol of South Africa, which has found its ideal environment here.

To perfect this earthly paradise, colourful exotic birds live freely in the park like, for example, the silver and gold pheasants, and the white peacocks that saunter leisurely around the grounds.

Since 2002, the Isola Madre gardens, together with those of Isola Bella, have been included in the prestigious British Royal Horticultural Society circuit.