Green Legacy of Madeira
In the 18th and 19th centuries, British traders who settled in Madeira brought various tropical and subtropical plants, significantly influencing the island's gardening culture.They established farms and gardens in parishes such as Monte, Camacha, Santo da Serra, and Jardim da Serra, creating romantic landscapes with exotic plants, ornamental ponds, and centuries-old trees​.
Quinta do
Santo da Serra
Quinta do Santo da Serra, established by the Blandy family in the late 19th century, is a public garden with peacocks, deer, Garrano horses, a mini-golf course, and tennis courts. It has a rich flora with exotic species like azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias .
Palheiro
Gardens
Famous for the collection of camellias and other exotic plants such as the crane flower, these gardens continue to honor British cultural heritage. Visitors can also admire a Baroque-style chapel and a house dating from the 18th century.
Monte Palace
This garden is a blend of British and Madeiran gardening practices. Originally, the estate was a luxurious mansion built by the British Consul Charles Murray. Then it was a hotel. Then in 1987, entrepreneur José Berardo purchased the estate and turned it into the Monte Palace Tropical Garden with exotic plants, waterfalls, and a museum with African and Portuguese art.
Jardim da
Serra
In the 19th century, British Consul Henry Veitch was so enchanted by the natural beauty of Jardim da Serra that he decided to make it home and build a magnificent property that is known today as the Quinta Jardim da Serra. Nearby the property exists a mausoleum which is his eternal resting place. Nowadays the property is a luxury hotel surrounded with lush gardens and serene atmosphere.