Back in Madeira for a much needed break from winter back home and to get a good dose of gardening inspiration for the coming spring ahead!
This is our fourth trip to this wonderful Portuguese island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Saying that, we haven't been since 2011, a good five years ago and yet it doesn't feel that long ago as our memories are still very vivid and very little has changed through the years.
Our first garden stop in the island is the spectacular Monte Palace Tropical Garden. It is 'one of the thirteen most spectacular gardens in the world' - so they say but it is easy enough to believe. Here is a selection of my favourite photos taken earlier today:
It is a fantasy garden full of exotic plants that we look forward to visiting every time we find ourselves on the island, and has been a huge source of inspiration for our own garden!
Mark :-)
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.
Everything looks spectacular there. The pink begonias wowed me even though I'm not usually a big fan, maybe time to take another look at them. Great structures and those olive jars are a special favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteThose begonias as a large swathe covering a wall looks fantastic! And must add more vases in the garden...
DeleteI'm beginning to think that everyone does Japanese gardens better than the Japanese. I couldn't pick out a single favourite photograph. Though resident cat hopes that your resident cats are being properly looked after back here in the rather wet, soggy, puddling, sinking into the ground UK. Jealous!
ReplyDeleteAhh if only we could take them with us we will, we do miss them! Parents back home are taking care of them, they are probably snuggled on our bed now.
DeleteMark, that for sure is a fantastic garden, jam packed with great design ideas! I really enjoyed your tour and especially loved the area around the big koi pond. Hope you guys continue to have a wonderful vacation on Madeira.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Christina
It's a thematic garden which a few look down upon for it but it's aesthetics are undeniable!
DeleteAbsolutely breathtaking. Everything seems to be done on a grand scale. Will read up on the history of the garden.
ReplyDeleteIt is Gerhard, grand in every way!
DeleteWow...look at those tree ferns! begonias! cycads etc!!! it surely is beautiful! glad you enjoyed Madeira again and showed it to us :).
ReplyDeleteA relatively quick flight from Madrid Lisa, well worth checking out!
DeleteThe garden makes effective use of red color elements. What showered the garden with the pick flower petals (photo 7th from the bottom)?
ReplyDeleteAzaleas Kris, which reminded me of spring garden scenes in Cornwall :)
DeleteWow, inspirational for sure. Glad you guys are stoking your creative garden fires for the upcoming season.
ReplyDeleteA question. What are we looking at in photo DSCF2817?
Hi Loree, couldn't see the file names at the moment but will let you know as soon as I've checked it :)
DeleteIts the remains of a tree fern. Most of it has rotted away but this interesting part remains.
DeleteAbsolutely paradisiacal! Those tree ferns made my knees quiver... How wonderful that you get to spend time in such a place - I could totally get lost there. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
ReplyDeleteOh to have a climate that has tree ferns getting to tree like proportions in no time at all...
DeleteWe have just returned from our second visit to Madeira but gave Monte a miss this year instead looking round the Municipal Garden just beyond. I am preparing a post about our adventures which will be 'up' next month on my blog!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures just got better and better! What a fabulous place. Have a great holiday guys, look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteHow great to get to tag along on your island adventure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful images from your vacation! I would love to visit Madeira someday. This garden looks so gorgeous, with all those tree ferns, towering yuccas(?), moss, and other lush foliage.
ReplyDeleteA magical, magnificent place. Oh the cycads and tree ferns...sigh. Must visit someday!
ReplyDeleteWow, looks like a great garden! Thanks for the photos.
ReplyDeleteFabulous. Plenty of inspiration there. I almost don't know where to look.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, looks like a very nice place. It will be added to my places to visit. Also a lot of inspiration to help me make my garden at home a little spectacular.
ReplyDelete