I am dreaming myself back to Madeira again… We’ve had a wonderful summer here in Sweden, but now Autumn is in full swing with wind, rain, and much cooler temperatures.
So, I allow myself to contemplate for a while, just like this lady among flowers and lush greenery.
But, I love wandering in cactus and succulent gardens too. These are from the cacti collection in the Botanical Garden of Madeira.
I have some cacti in my home, but mostly epiphyllums – no spikes! My biggest cactus (with huge spikes…)has fallen and hit me hard a couple of times – it is taller than me.
Begonias in splendid show at Monte Gardens.
I just had to have one of these, so, I brought one home, now sitting in my window waiting to come outside next summer.
I love Madeira for many reasons – one of them is their exquisite stone layered streets. Here together with exquisite Bougainvillea too. Grey colours and the vibrance of this flower/tree go so well together.
There are some forgotten gardens as well…and houses. But even those ones are lush and quite beautiful. This one was carefully guarded by fiercely barking dogs.
Ferns have a special place in my heart. Big or small – any size.
And one of my favourite ferns grow abundantly in Madeira. Back home in June, I promptly bought two Dicksonia Antarctica. A friend of mine has successfully brought up one of this species, but they have to stay in an orangerie to manage our winters. I will give it a try too. At least the summer went well for both of them!
Leya 
Beautiful and a calm post.
Thank you – Madeira is a calm place with much beauty.
Such stunning beauty, Ann-Christine. 😍
I am glad you love the beauty too, Jane. Thank you!
Beautiful post, Ann-Christine! On our only trip to Madeira, we didn’t see the Monte Gardens, but we did make a visit via cable car to Madeira Botanical Garden.
Thank you, John. Beautiful both – but those gardens were more ”alive”!
Outstanding!
Thank you, Egidio!
Hi Ann-Christine
Here, autumn is in full swing as well. We had a great summer, but now we have had enough of the sun and heat. We like the real weather now with wind and rain.
We don’t know Madeira. It looks idyllic. It seems to be your ideal place. Why not move there?
All the best
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Ah, thank you for the suggestion! A friend of mine bought an old beautiful place there, overlooking the sea and the harbour. She grows everything in fruits and vegetables in her garden – a bit envious I am…but it isn’t easy to live on an island. She loves it, but now and then she feels it is a bit ”small” and confined.
Such lushness here. Though that street is a good-looker too.
♥
I remember pebbled streets like that, in Madeira. So much charm! xx
Charming it is! I think of all those hours to set them in those beautiful patterns…
Wonderful photos Ann-Christine. I like the stone layered street and abundance of flowers 😀
I am glad you enjoyed them, Brian!
Very nice!
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
Thank you.
Beautiful memories
Thank you – beauty is needed always..and these days even more.
Fun flora foray! 😊
😀
That pop of colour is stunning.
Thank you, VJ!
Welcome