The return walk from the cottage to Sao Vicente has become one of our regular walks over the last few weeks providing a gentle stroll down to the village with beautiful views and a more strenuous workout on the way back. Now that the walk has become familiar I have started to use the opportunity to look at the plants and flowers around me and to find out what they are called.
I have been surprised by the variety of flowers on show even though it is now autumn time, and have noticed some different varieties than those we have seen when visiting in the spring and summer time.
On the lower levels where gardens are cultivated there are gardens full of Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Geranium, Roses and Strelizia, also known as the bird of paradise flower. All of these are displayed in a multitude of colours and seem to bloom year round. Higher up, wild flowers have seeded with the help of the birds, especially the Madeiran Firecrest and the Trocaz pigeon. The mountain roads are lined with White Oleander, pink and blue Hydrangea, drooping Wax Mallow, pink Passiflora hanging like lanterns from their trailing vines, delicate orange and yellow Lantana Camara and the ever present Agapanthus, although not as abundant as it is earlier in the year.
It is fair to say that whatever time of year you visit you will always have the pleasure of an abundance of flora; it is not by accident that Madeira is often referred to as The Garden Island.
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