The terraced gardens of Villa Arson were planted and opened to the public in 2009–2010 following major landscaping work. The plant species found there are well-suited to the climate and are primarily of Mediterranean origin. Some are endemic to the Nice region and are even protected. Among them are:
- Tree spurge
The tree spurge is found on the rocky coastline of the Alpes-Maritimes, between Nice and the Italian border. Highly adapted to drought, it is deciduous and loses its leaves in June, regrowing them with the first autumn rains.
- Spiny spurge
The spiny spurge forms small, thorny cushions. It is found in the mid-mountain areas of the region. Adapted to both cold and drought, it may lose its leaves in winter.
- Sea daffodil
The sea daffodil is a protected species sometimes found on sandy beach dunes. It can be seen along the Var coastline. It blooms in summer.
- Jupiter’s beard
Jupiter’s beard is a protected shrub found notably on the rocky coasts of the Var region. The color of its foliage, a very light silvery gray, and its mostly white flowers are said to resemble the white beard of the Roman god.
- Shrubby scorpion-vetch
The small Coronilla of Valencia, found on the terrace of the Villa Arson, grows along the rocky and limestone coastline of Cap Ferrat. It is rare, and its geographic range is very limited.
- Spurge olive
The spurge olive is a small green shrub with distinctive fruits containing three seeds. It is found in Nice on Mont Boron. It is protected in the Sud region, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
- Hoary stock
The Nice stock is found along the Mediterranean coast and is endemic to the region. It is the botanical species from which winter stocks originate.
- Nice stonecrop
Very common in the region, the Nice stonecrop is found on the Villa Arson site, notably growing quite spontaneously on the rooftops.
The list of protected plants is established to prevent the disappearance of these threatened plant species and to allow the conservation of their corresponding habitats. At all times, within the Alpes-Maritimes department, the destruction, cutting, mutilation, uprooting, picking or removal, trafficking, use, offering for sale, sale, or purchase of all or part of the wild specimens concerned is prohibited.
