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Attracting over a million visitors each year, the island gardens of Madeira are unique. For centuries Madeira was at the crossroads of the world and islanders were poised to receive plants from far-flung empires and accommodate ideas from both north and south. In such a climate, growth is phenomenal and streets and squares are filled with magnificent trees.
Some thirty gardens in and around the capital, Funchal, and further afield as well as some of the unique native flora and landscape are described. The author also explores the discovery and development of the island and its earliest gardens, and the role of Portuguese aristocrats and British wine merchants in creating the country estates, known as quintas.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
1 Blandy Gardens
2 Botanic Garden
3 British Church and Cemetery
4 Choupana Hills
5 Dragon Tree Sanctuary
6 Ecological Park
7 Funchal Public Garden
8 Hospice of the Princess Amelia
9 Madeira Magic
10 Miramar
11 Monte Palace
12 Monte Public Garden
13 Pestana Grand Hotel
14 Pestana Village
15 Porto Mare
16 Quinta da Boa Vista
17 Quinta da Palmeira
18 Quinta das Cruzes
19 Quinta do Arco
20 Quinta Magnolia
21 Quinta do Monte
22 Quinta Pestana
23 Quinta Santo Antonio
24 Quinta Vigia
25 Reid's Palace Hotel
26 Ribeiro Frio
27 Santa Catarina Park
28 Santa Clara
Bibliography
Gardens to visit
Index
Acknowledgements
Gerald Luckhurst is a landscape architect who has designed and built many gardens on the island. He is an expert plantsman with an unrivalled knowledge of sub-tropical flora. Each year he leads a number of specialist garden tours of the island.
The kaleidoscope of colours virtually glow on the pages, inviting us to enter a world that's altogether more vibrant than our own. Scotsman Madeira is famed for its lush, sub-tropical gardens, and this lavish book captures them in all their beauty. Pure escapism, and the perfect thing to leaf through on a cold winter's night. Daily Mail For garden visitors and armchair travellers. Irish Times Madeira is truly a magical island, from a botanical persepective, filled with wild flowers. Here, at last, is a book that does justice to its gardens as opposed to the dazzling natural scenery. The author is a garden designer living on mainland Portugal who has been making gardens on the island since 1991. He has produced an evenly written text, not at all 'gushy' - there is even a smattering of judicious criticism. Highlights include the Monte palace and the immaculate " Victorian" English garden at Quinta Vigia. Daily Telegraph The British have always loved the island of Madeira for its climate and the gardens it can produce. Now we have The Gardens of Madeira from the designer Gerald Luckhurst, who has worked there for years. The Portuguese and English influences can clearly be seen in the older gardens that relish the subtropical expat style of herbaceous borders, camellias and monkey puzzles; but there are newer gardens too, just as plant-rich and Luckhurst's Madeira Magic, for all its commercial origins, is one of the island's most interesting plantings. Times Book of the Week: [Gerald Luckhurst's] sumptuous book 'The Gardens of Madeira' gives a wonderful insight into their history and creation. About 30 gardens in and around the capital, Funchal, and further afield are expertly described, and the book also covers the native flora and landscape. Mail on Sunday The Blandy garden and many others are now beautifully explained in 'The Gardens of Madeira', a new book by Gerald Luckhurst, himslef a specialist tour-leader a d garden designer on the island. During this vile weather, his colour illustrated survey has been my refuge. -- Robin Lane Fox Financial Times Gerald Luckhurst, as an Englishman who has made his home in Portugal and restored an extraordinary landscape at Sintra, understands Portuguese gardens perfectly - and is even more qualified to discuss Madeira as he has himself designed some of the gardens which feature in his book. Historic Gardens Review An invaluable prelude to any visit. Horticulturalist
