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Ludwig Winter (1846-1912) was a German agronomist and botanist, who participated in the construction of Hanbury gardens in Ventimiglia and created a wondrous botanical garden in Bordighera – in the Sasso valley.
Today, the latter is a private property in “Madonna della Ruota” area, with one of the richest collections of palm trees, inspired by those of the early 1900s, and evoking the exotic world of deserts and oasis.
Palm trees were actually planted in the late 1800s, as they were believed to make the air healthier for tourists visiting from Northern Europe. That’s exactly why they’re so abundant along the Ligurian Riviera.

In the Winter Gardens, many palm trees (including Phoenix dactylifera), olive trees, citrus fruits and flowers are still growing. Ludwig Winter, in particular, devoted himself to the cultivation of violets.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)