The gardens at Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are famous for their beauty and the diverse landscapes in which they are set. The variety of their plants is as legendary as the personalities who owned and shaped these estates over time: long-established aristocrats, Milanese magnates, Napoleonic followers, and pleasure-seeking exiles. This book will delight both garden specialists and enthusiasts alike, as it provides profound information in an entertaining way. The first-class photographs are complemented by contemporary engravings and paintings that reflect the historical and cultural context of the gardens.