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So abundant with flora it's known as a 'floating garden', the island of Madeira is an absolute delight for amateur botanists or those who simply want to enjoy its extensive natural beauty for the sheer pleasure of it. While the island is just one of five in the Madeiran archipelago, it is the largest and most populated. Its capital, Funchal, is a rewarding destination for nature lovers, with a host of immaculately cultivated and maintained parks and gardens bursting with the colour and fragrance of the myriad flowers of Madeira. The Botanical Gardens With sweeping views over Funchal, the 80,000m² Botanical Gardens at Quinta do Bom Sucesso are an absolute showpiece. Originally created as the private grounds of the manor house, today they're the premier attraction of the city – home to a painstakingly curated display of exotic tropical plant species, birds and, of course, countless displays of the magnificent flowers of Madeira. The gardens are also the site of the Natural History Museum, along with a dedicated conservation and research area. Monte Palace Tropical Gardens From the Botanical Gardens, a cable car links to what is probably the second most renowned botanical site in the city. The spectacular Monte Palace Tropical Gardens is a masterpiece of public parkland, with an elevated vantage overlooking the bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. The palace itself was constructed in the eighteenth century and, while serving for many decades as an upmarket luxury hotel, is now a museum. Along with the lively birdlife, which includes chickens, peacocks, ducks and swans, the tropical vegetation is resplendent with countless flowers of Madeira and other exotic species from around the world. Quinta Palmeira Lesser-known but no less beautiful and interesting to botanists is the stunning private estate of Quinta Palmeira, which has been under the ownership of the same family since its creation. Located in Santa Lúzia, these tranquil gardens are full of established ancient trees, exotic imported species and a host of endemic flowers of Madeira. The views over the city's amphitheatre from the estate are nothing short of breath-taking and, for the historians, the Manueline window from the house of Christopher Columbus is a surprising point of interest. Jardim do Hospício Princesa D. Maria Amélia One of the most peaceful places in the city, this delightful public green space is a tranquil escape hidden away on the outskirts of the better-known Santa Catarina Park. Formerly a home for patients with tuberculosis (and named after the 22-year-old daughter of Princess Maria Amélia who died of the disease), the site now accommodates a home for the aged and a children's school. But it is the captivating gardens that make this such a special place, with a huge collection of native tropical plantings as well as many exotic and colourful imports. The Magic Garden As one of the most accessible botanical sites in the city, the Magic Garden does get somewhat busy (it's housed at the Madeira Magic Theme Park, which includes the Science Centre and Planetarium). But for those with an interest in the flowers of Madeira, it should not be overlooked. Its collection includes magnificent displays of flora from all over the world, but its assemblage of endemic species is extensive, extremely well set out and easy to identify. For those coming to this lovely island specifically to coincide with the peak flowering seasons, the parks and gardens of Funchal are an important part of a well-rounded itinerary. Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer with a special interest in wildflowers. As a passionate lover of botany, Marissa chooses the expert-led tours to encounter the spectacular flowers of Madeira organised by Naturetrek, which have brought her unforgettable encounters with a wide range of plant species in some of the most spectacular regions on Earth.
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