Following the narcissus and iris blooms, the camellias take the stage. Situated on the slopes of the left bank of Lake Maggiore, bordering Italy, the Parco Botanico del Gambarogno covers 20,000 square meters and boasts a rich variety of beautiful flowers such as magnolias, lilacs, rhododendrons, peonies, and peonies. However, the most eye-catching are the 950 varieties of camellias, reportedly the largest camellia garden outside of Japan. Lake Maggiore is one of the sunniest places in Switzerland, with nearly 6 hours of sunshine on average each day. The garden absorbs the sunlight reflected from the lake surface, not only extending the blooming period of the camellias but also making them bloom exceptionally beautifully.
Due to the warm weather, the botanical garden is dotted with palm trees and ivy, mixed with pine trees and junipers commonly found in high-altitude mountain areas. Two streams trickle through, complementing the colorful camellias with a unique charm. The owner of the botanical garden, Otto Eisenhut, is a patient horticulturist who has been studying the cultivation of camellias since the 1960s. Today, the new varieties he has bred are sold all over the world.
