Rich vegetation, olive and orange groves, wonderfully scented flower meadows, vineyards in between crevasses are typical for  Liguria, the greenest and largest woodland in Italy and one of the richest areas of plant and wildlife in Europe, thanks to the mild climate all year round. From the early onset of spring long into late summer, colourful flowers blossom everywhere – hence the name, ‘Riviera of flowers’. On the Mediterranean coast there are palm trees, lemons, oranges, bougainville, oleander, hibiscus, red gillyflowers, bluebells, agaves, myrtle, wild lavender, thyme and other local flowers which only exist in this area. In the rolling hills of the hinterland, you will find silvery green olive groves, vineyards, broom, hyacinths, orchids, pine trees, oak trees, fig trees, eucalyptus, sage, gentian and lilies. And going yet higher up into the alpine region, there is dense forestland with chestnut trees, birch trees and oak trees. As some 12% of the Ligurian region has been declared as nature reserve, stone eagles and wolfs have managed to return to the area. And fox, badgers, owl and other preying birds have always been around.
The Hanbury gardens in Ventimiglia with their rich variety of exotic plants and the cactus paradise Ezé just above Monte Carlo, are places of great interest for every plant lover.