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!
The gardens wrap round the hotel and cling to the cliff tops, with the pleasant year round climate a great range of exotic plants can be grown, although we have noted many gardens on the island use quite a limited pallet of plants.
The Hotel garden offers fantastic views across Funchal.
We pretty much had our visit to the garden to ourselves.
Ferns and Agave mixing, the warm and moist climate giving both a good habitat. I suspect this wasn't a planned planting combination.
Deserted pool clinging to the cliff top
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
