Quinta da Boa Vista Orchid Garden –

The best orchid collection on show all year round

The historic quinta ‘estate’ and orchid garden has been in the Garton family for over a century and is now run by Patrick Garton in Funchal, Madeira, and is open to the public and groups all year round. It was a must to visit there again. Last time was at least 30 years ago.

On our many Madeira travels we used to visit several orchid gardens, but this time we could not find any of those. We learned from a bus driver that at least one of them was burned down in the fires some years ago. And no one could answer to the question if Boa Vista was still open.

The road up to the Quinta displayed abandoned houses and gardens, and when the road finally turned into a gravel path, we began to fear the worst. Maybe the orchid garden wasn’t there at all anymore?

The BOA VISTA ORCHID GARDEN was founded in the 1960s by the late Group Captain Cecil Garton, O.B.E., in the grounds of Quinta da Boa Vista, which had been in his family for the past 100 years or so. After 30 years in the Royal Air Force, latterly spent as Air Attache in Lisbon and Madrid, he retired to Madeira where he devoted himself to developing the Quinta garden and to growing orchids. Cecil Garton’s widow, Betty (Elizabeth Hera Garton), is the daughter of Sir William Cooke, one of the pioneers of orchid breeding, particularly of Cymbidiums, besides being a collector of rare and beautiful natural species. (Madeira Web)

After some mistakes of direction, two phone calls and a lost husband – I finally reached the Quinta. It had been a looong walk uphill. I didn’t recognize the place at all – it felt a bit neglected and not many orchids blooming. The season had peaked, I knew, but still. Patrick met me in the yard, and before I could say anything at all, he delivered a litany of complaints about the status of things. Both his business and things in general.

After some 10 minutes, I almost regretted coming there. Then my husband called and wondered if I had found the place – and I described the path to him. Five long minutes later he arrived – and saved me.

We tried to remind Patrick why we were there, and could finally enter the greenhouses. I did not take many photos, since he kept me spellbound about the orchid breeding and his interesting life and work. He was very knowledgeable and scientific (Oxford degree) – a real gem. There was no question that he could not answer. After an hour or so, I understood the magnitude of his problems with the business and why he was so upset. His father had died many years ago, and in 2017 his mother – the pillar of the Quinta’s business – died. Taking care of hundreds (or thousands…) of orchids was now more or less up to Patrick alone. He was short of helping hands and had recently lost his main gardener too. ”People don’t want to work this hard anymore”, he said. And ”their education and horticultural training is of poor quality.”

I felt so sorry for him being in such a desperate situation. But, I was happy to hear he had the two Laeliocattleya orchids I wanted (they can no longer be found in Sweden). Unfortunately they were in the nursery so I could not buy them. I bought another Laeliocattleya instead – to have at least one of my favourite orchids in my own house is a must. (Also in my blog name ”Lagottocattleya”.)

Back home again I realised we had arrived at the back of the mansion and gone directly to the shop and nursery. No wonder I didn’t recognize it! I also found Patrick’s request for volunteers on the internet. Hopefully he will get help to keep up this renowned old Quinta. Had I been younger…I would have offered my help on the spot! Do you know of anyone interested?

Boa Vista Orchids welcomes volunteers; please see the contact information below.

Quinta da Boa Vista
Rua Lombo da Boa Vista
9050-126 Funchal
Telephone: (+351) 291 220 468
Fax: (+351) 291 230 309
E-mail: patrickgarton@hotmail.com