Madeira in Bloom - Jardim Botanico, Funchal

What fantastic topiary....I love it!

A plant persons' garden, such a different selection of flora.
Got the name of the ?blue plant :-Paulownia.

At last..I have finally seen these beautiful gardens..We chose a Cruise holiday,,where these were on the Itinerary for Funchal..As we were walking to the cable car,the heavens opened with the most awful tropical storm,so on arrival,we weren't allowed to go in ,as it was deemed to be too dangerous: ..My friend Carole ,( Pansypotter)and our OH's,and I, had to go into the cafe,dripping wet all over the floor,and I had to make for the facilities to wring out my dress ! 30 minutes later the sun came out again,and it was bone dry..so your photo's have shown me what we were meant to see.thank you..:o) Such a wonderful place..

Goodness me such diversity, what a wonderful place to visit, thanks Siris,looking forward to the next blog

Thank you everyone.
Bloomer. In Feb 2010 a tropical storm sent water gushing down the ravine killing 50+ people and destroying the promenade in Funchal. (like Boscastle). Now it has been reinstated and looks grand.

Have always wanted to go to Madeira - first on my list of things to do when I retire. In the meantime, thanks for the photos, really appreciated!

Thank you urbanite, have you got long to go to retire?

Well that's a bit of a moving feast these days as the govt tries to push the age up to 70. I have a 12 year mortgage so that may be my aim to book the trip for the month after my mortgage is paid off.

I just had another 6 months added on before I could get my pension.

likewise, Siris. It's part of the plan to make sure there are no OAPs in the future - we'll be working till we drop!
Brought up to think I'd get my state pension at 60, paid extra into work's pension so I could go at 50 ... Change in the rules means I'm heading towards 67 (and counting) before I can get back any of the money I've paid in.

Have visited twice in December it looked very different then, did not see any of the bedding then but many orchids were to be seen all over the island and sold as cut flowers in the supermarkets in bunches as daffodils are sold hear I decorated our hotel room with them .We were at that time about 10 years ago allowed to bring back plants and cut flowers which were packed for us and carried in special compartment within the luggage hold.Is that still the case,or were you on a cruise ?
Did you visit any of the remote areas ie the 'Valley of the Nuns'.

Sorry to hear that Urbanite.
Not on a cruise BJS, Plant material can be imported from EU countries, Azores and Madeira, providing it is free from pests and diseases, and for your own personal use. As we flew there, cabin baggage only, could not bring back much. The Crinum bulb I wrapped in my bikini top, just the right cup size!
We only visited the gardens in Funchal, and went out on a catamaran to see dolphins along the coast, (and ate out). We liked the island so much, would probably go back some time and sightsee further afield.

Wonderful gardens so colourful, I must tell you a tale ,I bought a Strelitza in bloom many years ago taking great care looking after it that is until I moved it one day making the bloom fall off only to find it was plastic I couldn't believe it ,it was so real looking I even had a friend water it for me when we went on holiday and they didn't notice , stupid or what !

Amy, should have gone to spec-savers!!! That is a good tale!

Amy thats hilarious, almost as bad as me wearing at-shirt inside out, on the ferry crossing, in the restaurant, it wasn't until I changed for dinner in the evening, I realised, and OH did not even notice, I was mortified!!

I should have done Sue actually it wasn't plastic it was made of a kind of silk, .. Perhaps nobody else noticed Angela people wear such strange clothes these days , men are funny they really don't notice things like that .....

Absolutely fabulous, thankyou for sharing Siris...

You are welcome Llass, it was a very floriferous holiday, will have to do something for OH next holiday, he's not a gardener!