The Exotic Garden

Images from The Exotic Garden (address:  62 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, Monaco)
Lower left is the harbor, our ship the Viking Star is the bigger one on the far right (but not that much bigger than some of the private yachts). 

On our Mediterranean cruise this March we were fortunate to stop at the Exotic Gardens of Monaco.  It is amazing what you can do when (1) you are the king of a principality, (2) you are rich enough to employ several hundred gardeners, and (3) have several generations of family that contribute to the garden. 
 
Although we did not see the entire garden, what we did see was impressive.  These four acres are set on a rocky hillside and was opened in 1933 by Prince Albert I.  Although dominated by succulents, there are also roses and I even found some spring bulbs.  Only later did I pause to think about how that was possible in this temperate climate with not enough of a cold period for bulbs to bloom naturally.  I would hazard a guess that they kept the bulbs in cold storage and planted them outside to enjoy this spring.  Just like we would do to force bulbs, except on a larger scale.  Again, money and labor can create a wonderful garden. 
 
Most of all I love the address of this garden. 
​Wouldn’t you love to live on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique?