It has been a while since we last went to Madeira, and Marks recent blog post mentioning it reminded me that we had not shared photos of the fabulous tropical garden at Reid's Palace Hotel. The hotel itself was founded by William Reid, who was the son of a Scottish crofter. Reid had originally arrived in Madeira in 1836 where he made an income by renting out quintas to wealthy visitors before he entered the hotel business. Sadly for Reid, he died before his Reid's hotel was completed. Over the years the Hotel has remained the height of luxury on Madeira, we didn't stay at Reid's but at a nearby hotel however we couldn't let the opportunity to see the gardens go amiss! |
| Iresine explosion! |
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| Blechnum gibbum |
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| A gorgeous border of ferns! Blechnum gibbum and Cyathea cooperi |
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| Agave attenuata |
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| The Hotel garden offers fantastic views across Funchal. |
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| We pretty much had our visit to the garden to ourselves. |
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| Strelitzia nicolai |
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| Ferns and Agave mixing, the warm and moist climate giving both a good habitat. I suspect this wasn't a planned planting combination. |
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| Deserted pool clinging to the cliff top |
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| Cordyline fruticosa |
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| Farfugium, we grow a number of these at home. |
As I mentioned it has been a while since our last trip to Madeira, perhaps we will have to think of another trip soon!
Gaz
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Beautiful! You're lucky to be (relatively) close to so many exotic destinations.
ReplyDeleteSo many relatively near by but so little time!
DeleteVery lush!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very lush island!
DeleteThat is one beautiful place to visit. The water shots are lovely but some of their plants are choice. The color on that Iresine is spectacular. Love what they have done with their gardens there. Whether out and about or sitting there, the views are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
The entire island is stunning Cher :)
DeleteCan't wait for your return visit, in the mean time I'll just stare at that beautiful Blechnum gibbum.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Blechnum gibbum, wish we could grow them outside here!
DeleteHi Gaz, now that is a beautiful tropical garden! It is astonishing to me that you had it almost to yourselves. Where have the other hotel guests been and why was the pool with the gorgeous view so abandoned? Strange! Anyways, many plants that are planted in this tropical garden are the same that grow here in coastal San Diego. As a matter of fact, some of the photos could have been taken here. The climate must be very similar! I enjoyed your post and hope for your guys that you get to visit Madeira again soon!
ReplyDeleteChristina
The climate of Madeira will be very similar to your location Christina, except in summer as the island rarely gets as warm as it is in your area :)
DeleteOh what a contrast from a Scottish croft to a luxury hotel in Madeira. How sad that Mr Reid did not see his hotel completed. Hope that you get back to the island soon. I think that you might find it hard to resist despite the lure of destinations yet unexplored.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to resist the island of Madeira Anna, we've been three times already and we still find ourselves drawn to it :)
DeleteI love the fern border! And the views across the sea! It must surely be a place of inspiration for the two of you.
ReplyDeleteIt is Debs, the entire island is a beautiful garden :)
DeleteI remember reading in my environmental studies about the burning of Madeira. Boy, do your pictures ever make me want to visit . . . for the science of course! I love the softness of those swaths of ferns. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThey did have some bad firs just recently and when we visited you can still see traces of it when on our drives out of their capital. Science or pleasure, it's well worth visiting :)
DeleteI agree with Gerhard! I absolutely love tropical! I wish I could integrate it into my garden. But I have no trees and our Summers are soooo hot. I think a lot of things would burn. I tried a banana tree one time and fried it. lol Wonderful photos and beautiful destination!
ReplyDeleteAh but look at all the wonderful succulents you can grow Candice :)
DeleteSwoon! What a welcome sight for winter weary eyes! Thanks, this place is very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt is, and a pleasure Peter!
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