The next day we visited two more impressive but
widely different palm collections. The “Jardin Botanico-Historico
La Concepcion”, near Malaga, is about 150 years old so the
plants have reached an amazing size - indeed, many are the largest
representatives of their species in Spain. The original plantings
of livistonas, jubaeas, syagrus, roystoneas, braheas etc. are now
being supplemented with young plants of different species such as
coccothrinax, trithrinax, veitchia and howea. Because of the luxuriance
of the growth there is a much more enclosed, shady feel to this
garden than any other we had seen in Spain.
The garden is now owned by the city of Malaga and
is run as an educational centre, with emphasis also on the conservation
of the historic garden. It is considered to be one of the most important
collections of tropical and subtropical plants in Spain and is open
every day for guided visits. Our guides were very helpful and provided
much information on the history of the collection, which is well
documented. Many of the plants are “labelled” with attractive
hand-painted tiles, which are also used in decorative panels showing
views of the garden. A reproduction of the tiled panel at the entrance
of “La Concepcion”, showing a schematic representation
of the garden, is available in poster form and also features on
the cover of the splendid guidebook.
By contrast, the private garden of Gunter Brutt
is comparatively new, but it contains an amazing collection of palm
and cycad species and varieties set amongst a beautiful collection
of flowering plants from hibiscus and bougainvillea to roses and
camellias. The location of the garden, on the side of a hill, with
views across to north Africa, allows a tremendous range of plants
to be grown. The total effect is stunning and we could not have
found a more fitting place to end our tour of the palm-gardens of
Spain.
PS. The kindness of several EPS members enabled
us to fulfil our desire to take some palms home with us. On our
return journey northwards we shared our travelling home with thirteen
superb specimens, some about six feet tall, as well as five agaves,
a cycad, two hibiscus, a bougainvillea and other tender plants.
Altogether we covered 3000 miles in three and a half weeks. We enjoyed
our trip to Spain immensely and very much hope to revisit some of
these gardens in the future.
Touring the Palm Gardens of Spain
