A short visit with plants. Part 1.

Last weekend I finally got to the island of Madeira. It was only for a few days and with the in-laws, so there was limited time to visit gardens.  We did manage to sneak in a few gardens though. I had been warned in advance that Madeira is not famous for succulents; a lot of rain and no frosts make it perfect climate for too many other plants.  So the next few posts will contain lots of photos, but very few succulents, hopefully the gardens will be of interest, just for something different.

First morning we went to one of the orchid nurseries,

This is pretty much in the centre of Funchal, only 1km from the front. However it is all up hill, and in Madeira that really means up hill.  So having recovered, it was a pleasure to be greated by this set of aloes inside the gate.

This was the only larger aloe I saw on the whole trip. In the garden you get the advantage of those steep hills.

The outside area did have some lovely other plants. I expected the tropical flowers, but didn't expect to see so many different trees.

Anyway you don't visit for the trees, and as soon as you get into the nursery it is clear why you are there.

It would be pretty amazing if that was the whole place, but it wouldn't be Madeira if it was. No you have this:

The photo shows two of the main sections, turn around and you get even more:

I loved that they use tree ferns to create deeper shade. You can see the whole site is on slope, there is no flat land anywhere. There is another section the same size on top of this.  It was an amazing collection and if the orchids were not enough you can look up and notice that the vine above the main path is a jade vine.

The flowers are such a stunning colour, and if possile the buds are even better.

It takes some getting used to, having so many spectacular plants everywhere you look.

You could spend hours there photographing every flower, and smelling them to find out where the different scents were from.  When you do finally leave you are greated by the owners other interest which is bromeliads. Initially it is just the odd pot

Then you are out into the path between the shade houses.

There was a little spanish moss starter wall,

It is such a simple idea to form balls or boxes with a little bit of spanish moss inside and then in a few years you have your full waterfall.

 It doesn't matter what they look like, they will be hidden before you know it. I did try a few years ago, and forgot to water so lost my little clump.  I am tempted to try again.

There were some nice clumps of tillandsias as well. If only mine would grow into clumps like this.

As an introduction to Madeira it was perfect, such plant extravagance you simply don't know where to look.

In the place of succulent Sunday...

I thought a quick trip to the Scilly Isles would be suitable substitute, especially a focus on Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Scilly Isles for those outside the UK are a group of island just off the coast of Cornwall, which is the south west tip England. They are small islands, some you can stay on, others just visit for the day. Getting there from the mainland is by ferry or small plane, which have a certain retro feel to the inside.

Flying in gives you great views of the islands

The main island St Mary's is where most people stay, as it's where the ferry and planes arrive.  From the time you arrive it is obvious that the climate is conducive with more exotic plants; aeoniums, yuccas, agaves and palms are common place.

From there on the transport is more local.

Various size boats ferry you between the islands, usually taking around 15 - 20 minutes. For plant lovers, the first stop is always Tresco and the Abbey Gardens. Again as soon as you get off the boat you know it is going to be good.

It is a gentle stroll to the gardens and you walk past the abbey and get your first idea what the gardens are going to be like.

Entering the actual gardens you cross this japanese inspired bridge.

From there it's view after view, and stunning plants everywhere.  There are too many for one post, so I'll split them up a bit, starting with a quick tour of the gardens and followed up with close ups of some of the plants in later posts. Sadly it was not a sunny day, so please overlook the grey sky.

This is what you reach if you walk straight up from the bridge (looking back towards the it).

Turning right along the path

Along with the plants, the gardens are known for certain vistas containing statues.

Getting into more arid sections.

Looking back into the gardens

Towards the end of the top path, the banks are steep, rocky and full of succulent  inspiration.

Finally you get to the abbey building.

One of my personal favourite aspects to Tresco, is the way the succulents are populating every available surface.

 Just below the abbey are the ruins of the old abbey, which have been taken over by plants.

It is not all succulents though, next to the old abbey, is a little sculpture garden full of ferns

At the bottom of the garden is the other famous sculpture

In the lower part of the gardens, you can walk through fern filled paths, or more open lawns

If you are anything like me, you will end up walking around and around each time noticing a different view, not to mention different plants, which will be part 2.

To give you an idea of the other islands, here are a few general photos on a brighter day.

That is a quick tour of a couple of the islands and an introduction to the gardens on Tresco, next up will be the plants.