Designing a garden inspired by Madeira, the flower island

The plant palette

While there are many beautiful endemic plants in the Madeira archipelago, the main island and its subtropical climate also showcase flora originating from Africa, Latin America, or Asia, thus multiplying the plant possibilities. Indeed, in Madeira, flowering occurs almost continuously throughout the year, but planting them here will provide opportunities for beautiful gardens between late spring and summer.

Among the must-haves, since they are native, we can mention the Madeira viper’s bugloss (Echium candicans), the Madeira geranium (Geranium maderense), a botanical species with stunning foliage and pink flowers, an endemic stock (Matthiola maderensis), Cirsium latifolium (Madeira thistle) growing in humid forests, Imperatoria lowei (a type of wild fennel found in rocky areas), and the remarkable dragon tree, which is also found, especially, in the Canary Islands.

Alongside these indigenous plants, there is also a wealth of species from elsewhere, well acclimatised to the island’s subtropical oceanic climate: agapanthus and hydrangeas leading the way, having naturalised and growing everywhere, Strelitzia, aloes, azaleas and rhododendrons, lush ferns, euphorbias, hibiscus, lilies, flamboyant trees, Jacaranda, Gabon tulip tree (Spathodea), frangipani (Plumeria), erythrina, crotons, not to mention orchids (mainly Cattleya and Cymbidium)… All display proportions that will leave you breathless. As for palms and succulents, they are highly diverse (Dypsis, Livistona, Kentia, agaves, euphorbias, Cycas…) and they also contribute to the tropical vision of the island of Madeira.

The Madeira viper’s bugloss in the centre, the Spathodea, the Madeira geranium, the agapanthus, Alpinia zerumbet, clivias miniata, jacarandas… Some of the countless wonders of the island

Ideas for planting combinations based on your garden

Many plants from Madeira can be planted, always ensuring to properly prepare the soil by maximising drainage, as most plants only thrive under such conditions. Some plants can be replaced by less frost-sensitive varieties that resemble them or provide similar character, which we will discuss further below.

A Blue Garden

Agapanthus and Madeira viper’s bugloss (Echium candicans) are among the star plants to form the basis of a monochrome blue garden! A few ‘Sweet Blue’ gladioli and a Solanum jasminoides will suffice to establish the blue theme for summer, and it would be fitting to complete this quartet with a spring clematis like Clematis alpina ‘Ocean Pearl’ and perhaps a striking Rhododendron impeditum ‘Blue Tit’ to lead the way. Be generous with foliage to enhance this blue wave.

Dryopteris wallichiana, Agapanthus umbellatus, Gladiolus ‘Sweet Blue’, Solanum jasminoides, Clematis alpina ‘Ocean Pearl’, Farfugium japonicum and Cycas revoluta (© Gwenaëlle David Authier), and Rhododendron impeditum ‘Blue Tit’

A Dry Garden

This is another beautiful option, reminiscent of the botanical garden in Funchal! Create a gravel garden or raised rockery with some of the hardiest agaves (for example, Agave attenuata can be replaced by Agaves havardiana), prickly Opuntias, a Yucca rigida or a Yucca elephantipes in the milder regions, instead of the dragon tree! Also consider Aloes, a Russelia equisetiformis cascading from the rockery wall, accompanied by some blue fescues and sedums.

Russelia equisetiformis, Yucca elephantipes, Agave attenuata, Opuntia microdasys and Festuca glauca[/caption>

A Coastal Garden

This is the ideal garden for our Madeiran escape. It is located in Brittany, Normandy, or the Basque Country, regions that receive sufficient rainfall, without prolonged frost in winter, and have a favourable ambient humidity. A wider, more colourful and varied plant palette can therefore be explored, including beautiful tree ferns, pink bignonia (Podranea ricasoliana), and Callistemon. They will be accompanied by generous plants in these mild climates: hydrangeas, Geranium maderense, Madeira viper’s bugloss, Cassia floribunda in bright yellow, and Grevillea in pink, Tibouchina with velvety leaves, and even Alpinia zerumbet with its large, spectacular foliage. For the most sheltered gardens in the south of the country, do not hesitate to adopt bird of paradise plants or Strelitzia, with their stunning appearance, and Hibiscus! Agapanthus, whether white or blue, and all palms will always harmonise beautifully with these exotic-looking plants.

Tree fern, hydrangeas macrophylla, Strelitzia, Geranium maderense, Podranea ricasoliana, Alpinia zerumbet and Echium fastuosum

A Jungle Garden

Lush vegetation, a myriad of flowers, the jungle garden showcases foliage that is broad, shiny, and cut… wildly exotic, along with a few blooms in warm hues. This is a feasible option in partially shaded or even shaded corners. Instead of Monstera deliciosa and other plants that are impossible to grow in the ground here, invite Fatsia, Schefflera, Broussonettia papyrifera, Aralias, Tetrapanax, Melianthus major, variegated Aucuba, Petasites in cool soil, some exuberant lianas like Aristolochia, Akebia, or the summer wisteria, and spectacular flowers: Cardiocrinum giganteum, Zantedeschia (Arum), Hedychium, Cannas, Eucomis, Roscoea, etc. Replace the numerous Cordyline fruticosa found in Madeira with Cordyline australis, which are less sensitive to cold.

Arums, Schefflera taiwaniana, Hedychium gardenarium, Cardiocrinum asiaticum, Petasites, Fatsia japonica and Aucuba japonica ‘Golden King'[/caption>

→ Read also for inspiration: How to create a successful foliage border?

A Madeira-inspired terrace for summer

If you live in a region too prone to repeated frosts in winter, you can transform your terrace into an exotic haven solely for the summer season! Indulge in the most beautiful extravagant blooms, which you will take care to dig up or store for winter. Choose those that perform well in pots; they will take centre stage on your terrace: the unmissable blue and white spheres of Agapanthus, the orange-red of Gloriosa or bird of paradise, the violet of a bougainvillea, the white of Crinum asiaticum or the very soft pink of Amaryllis belladona. Add the magical purple colour in its tropical spirit: Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’, Lagerstroemia indica ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, and a beautiful pot of Farfugium japonicum with its large, shiny round leaves will create a stunning effect. A few Clivias brought out from the living room will also be welcome in this profusion of colours!

Gloriosa, Phormium tenax ‘Purpureum’, Crinum asiaticum, Bougainvilleas, Agapanthus and Farfugium japonicum

The hardiest plants

Many gardeners will be unable to plant certain perennials or bushes that are too frost-sensitive. It will be necessary to adapt the plantings with a base of plants that do not pose hardiness issues (hydrangeas, azaleas, spurge, farfugium, ferns, etc.). We will replace lilies with daylilies, for example, which have a similarly exotic appearance, aloes with kniphofias, Tecoma with bignonia, and so on. We will also favour certain XXL foliage plants that are more suitable for our climate (Acanthus, Schefflera taiwaniana, etc.). Finally, note that typical species are generally hardier than horticultural species.

To avoid making mistakes, consult our sheets listing the hardiest plants in the plant palette suited to this inspiration from Madeira:

• 7 hardy succulent plants;
• Agapanthus: the 7 hardiest varieties;
• Alstroemerias: the hardiest;
• Agaves: the hardiest varieties;
• Hardy palms to plant almost anywhere in France
• 10 hardy plants for an exotic dry garden
• 10 exotic and hardy plants for a jungle garden

→ Also read: Palms by climate, Hedychium, an exotic for our climates

The right growing conditions

We discuss this in detail in the design of an exotic garden. Cultural conditions are obviously essential when approaching exotic flora that does not grow spontaneously here and is generally sensitive to cold. It is worth noting that the subtropical oceanic climate of Madeira benefits from the influence of the Gulf Stream. Therefore, it is important to combine the conditions that will make your garden a possible Eden, reminiscent of Madeira:

• Drainage: most of the species described in the plant palette require very good drainage. Learn more in our advice sheets: How can I make my soil more free-draining? And Gardening in dry, free-draining soil
• Humidity: this is a major and sensitive point in our Madeiran atmosphere, as the lush aspect of this type of garden will suit regions where humidity is high. The famous hydrangeas characteristic of the Madeiran landscape will be planted in the Atlantic coastal regions and areas with sufficient rainfall. Of course, in southern regions, one should consider a dry exotic garden, with plants that can withstand periods of intense heat.
• Container planting outside “mild” regions is essential if you wish to create this typically Madeiran atmosphere. Our plant sheets all have a section on container planting, so feel free to consult them. Also, check out our section dedicated to potted plants!
• Protected areas of the garden, which are sheltered, under trees, along a wall, etc., will be sought after, as they benefit from a favourable microclimate.

→ See also What is a mild climate?, Microclimates in the garden and the best bulbs to plant in pots

Refining the decor...

We’ve all seen the basket descents that once connected the heights of Funchal to the city centre, now a tourist attraction. Take inspiration from this tradition as a nod to invite rattan and wicker into your garden. They should certainly be favoured in garden furniture, such as tables and chairs or armchairs, as well as a hammock. Feel free to play with colonial style and English influence, which are very present in Madeira, in the design of the layers.

Also borrow the colour scheme from Madeira’s architecture, using the white or coral pink of the walls, green shutters, and the orange tiles of the roofs to enhance the island atmosphere: these colours can be showcased on pottery, applied to an old shutter used as a support for climbing plants, with large terracotta jars… And if your house is already white and green (in the Basque Country or along the Atlantic coast, which readily adopts this duo), then you are already on your way to Madeira…

And why not insert, like at the Monte Palace in Funchal, a splash of colour using Portuguese azulejos, those blue and yellow ceramic tiles? They can create a stunning effect, as a mini mosaic on an old wall, for example.

Finally, the volcanic island of Madeira is also an opportunity to use rockeries or mineral mulches in the context of dry gardens, made from pumice or basalt gravel. A small terrace styled with black and white pebbles will also be an elegant tribute to Madeira!

Like at the Quinta das Cruzes in the bottom right, focus on white, coral, and green. Opt for rattan or similar materials, and XXL jars to dress your Madeiran garden