Jardin Serre de la Madone

What is Jardin Serre de la Madone?

Jardin Serre de la Madone covers six hectares on a slope above Menton. Visitors walk through a series of terraces built among old olive trees, with a farmhouse at the heart of the garden. The space is divided by hedges and low walls, creating separate garden rooms. A double pool forms the centerpiece, surrounded by rare and unusual plants collected from subtropical regions. Notable specimens include Mahonia siamensis, Arbutus unedo, umbrella pines, Buddleja officinalis, China roses, bamboo, and a wide range of cycads and succulents.

The history of Jardin Serre de la Madone

Lawrence Johnston, who was also behind Hidcote Manor Garden in Britain, began creating Serre de la Madone in 1924. He chose the site for its mild climate, ideal for growing plants from warmer parts of the world. Johnston traveled widely to collect plants, and over fifteen years, he shaped the garden with terraces, pools, and new wings added to the farmhouse. After Johnston died in 1958, the garden passed through several owners. In 1999, the Conservatoire du littoral bought the property and started restoring it to Johnston’s original vision.

What there is to see

The garden is laid out in a series of terraces, each with its own character, separated by hedges and stone walls. The central feature is a double pool, around which many of the rarest plants are grouped. Old olive trees provide shade, and the planting includes both established trees and new introductions from Johnston’s travels. The garden is open to visitors during the warmer months, with restoration work ongoing to maintain its historic design.

When to go

Jardin Serre de la Madone welcomes visitors in spring, summer, and autumn. People come to see the rare plant collections, the terraced layout, and the peaceful garden rooms. The garden is especially valued by plant enthusiasts and those interested in garden history. Restoration efforts aim to keep the garden true to Johnston’s original design, making it a living example of early twentieth-century botanical collecting.

Parts and collections

Within the garden, different terraces feature distinct plantings and microclimates. Some areas highlight collections of cycads and succulents, while others focus on flowering shrubs or shade-loving species. The garden’s structure, with its hedged rooms and pools, reflects Johnston’s approach to garden design, similar to his work at Hidcote.

Why Jardin Serre de la Madone matters

Jardin Serre de la Madone is recognized for its historic and botanical importance in France. It is part of the region’s tradition of remarkable gardens and is listed among notable French botanical gardens. The restoration led by the Conservatoire du littoral preserves both the plant collections and the design legacy of Lawrence Johnston, making the garden a cultural landmark in Menton.

The flowers of Jardin Serre de la Madone

Butterfly BushShrubs and small trees with nectar-rich flowers that draw butterfliesChina roseShrub rose from China, key ancestor of modern garden rosesStrawberry-treeAn evergreen Mediterranean tree with white bell flowers and red, strawberry-like fruitButterfly-bushA honey-scented shrub with lilac to purple flower spikes, loved by butterfliesOregon grapeEvergreen shrub with spiny leaves and yellow spring flowers, Oregon’s state flower

Questions people ask about Jardin Serre de la Madone

Good reading and sources

• Serre de la Madone on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data