Attracting over a million visitors each year, the island gardens of Madeira are unique. For centuries Madeira was at the crossroads of the world - half-way between the tropics and the old continent. The 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 (jacarandas, flame-trees and rosewoods) let alone the oozing dragon 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 expertly described. Luckhurst 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.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
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
Sprache
Verlagsort
Verlagsgruppe
Maße
Höhe: 295 mm
Breite: 250 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-3032-3 (9780711230323)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
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.
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
