Roses in Rosaleda Ramón Ortiz, Madrid

Let me share with you pictures of some beautiful roses from  the Rose Garden “Rosaleda Ramón Ortiz” on the edge of Madrid´s Parque del Oeste, which Ron and I visited yesterday. Every year they hold a contest in Madrid for the best rose. The public is invited to come and view the roses in the competition and an expert jury comes in to choose the winners. After a winner has been chosen, that plant is given a special place with a little plaque in the garden. You can, of course, visit the Rosaleda at any point during the year, although it is best to go in May, and the entrance is free to the public.

 

 

 

The gardens themselves are not very big, but there is a wide variety of roses. In this Rosaleda (Rose gardens), there are about 20,000 rose bushes, with about 600 varieties of modern roses (I had no idea that there were so many different types and colors of roses). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is really a fun place to visit specially in the morning of a sunny, spring day like it was yesterday.  Surprisingly the sun presented itself with a halo with just the right brilliance to capture the gorgeous pinks, oranges and reds of the flowers.

There were several places to snap the perfect photo in the midst of the blending colors of the roses, several with the most delicate fragrance.

   

 

 

 

 

It is surely an artist´s playground. Overall, the gardens have a relaxing effect, especially as you sit under the canopy of green vines on one of the long benches contemplating the natural beauty, or anywhere else in the midst of the perfumed roses.

It has several fountains and a lily pond.

 

Although the Rose gardens might not be as well known or as frequented as the Botanical Garden located next to the Prado Museum, it has its own charm.  Whether you are a rose enthusiast, or just want to read a book in the shade or want to get a perfect photo, this place will be a peaceful  haven for you.

George William Curtis.- 

"The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose". 

For me, a rose is a gift to the senses. 

Al Ain Paradise, World's Most Hanging Flower Baskets

Al Ain Paradise, is a public garden holding the world record for the most hanging flower baskets (2,968) and represents the latest in landscaping and irrigation technology. It was awarded the Guinness World Records achievement on the 20th of March 2010. It is located at Zakher Area of Sweifi District, a 15-minute drive from Al Ain Town Center, in UAE. The gardens originally opened in 2010 in a 7,000 square-meter space on Nahyan Al Awal Street at the Zakher roundabout.  But it has increased to 21,000 square-meters.

 

Vertical landscaping is always a challenge, especially in this climate where proper controlled irrigation is vital for the living plants.

In addition to the display of living plants, which have to survive a season lasting seven months, there is a model of the Eiffel Tower and several intriguing sculptures.

The heart arches represent the three municipalities of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region).

Source of images: Gulf News.com  and Al Ain Enthusiast
Source of information:  The National

A New Hanging Garden In Madrid

Madrid’s Newest Hanging Garden


A spectacular hanging garden that covers 1,000 m2  of an interior patio wall of  Hotel Santo Domingo located barely a few meters away from Gran Via in Madrid was  presented to the press last June 25.

The wall garden is home to more than 2,500 plants from more than 110 species, as well as a 20-meter waterfall and cypresses standing almost six meters tall.

Just as their horizontal counterparts, vertical gardens also contribute to cleaning up the atmosphere, trapping carbon dioxide, emitting oxygen, and maintaining temperature. The Hotel Santo Domingo garden aims to absorb 25,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide each year.  And its 20-meter waterfall,  has the same cooling effect as 50 air conditioning units. It also offers a refuge for  sparrows, a familiar Madrid resident, which have already begun nesting. And most of all, "guests in interior rooms will now have something nice to look out on".

An imaginative way to make use of the vertical spaces as horizontal spaces become scarce.

Source:  Jardines Verticales
               El País

Cactus Symbol and Superstition

It has been said that the cactus flower is a symbol of maternal love. Because the cactus is a plant that can endure harsh conditions and also thrive, its flowers are symbolic of a mother's unconditional love. 
Source:  Ehow Home

Every summer in my terrace,  two of my cacti bloom with flowers that last only for certain hours and to admire them can only be enhanced by taking their pictures as hereby shown.  It is such a pity that they do not last long enough because some of their flowers are so delicately beautiful.

The peculiar thing about the cacti is that their leaves turn into spines while the stems evolve to become photosynthetic and succulent. Many species are used for ornamental plants, and some are also grown for fodder, forage, fruits, cochineal, and other uses.  Source:  Wikipedia

On the other hand, superstitious people avoid cactus plants with the belief that they may cause bad luck due to their thorns. But it all depends on your convictions. If you think cactus is good, then it will be good but if you are a follower of the "Indian Vastu Shaastra", saying that the cactus plants bring bad luck to the house, or Feng Shui, that says that cactus can bring you ailments, then why not plant cactus right outside the house? This way you cover yourself from your harmful convictions, while you take the benefits of the easy to care cactus plants that do not require everyday water and can also keep your soil replenished with water, due to its property of absorbing a little water. Try growing them, you will be amazed with the results.

How to Grow African Violets

A well grown African violet is a treat for the eyes.   This is a miniature variety.

To grow this plant, cut the large outer leaves at the base at an angle.

Note that even a damage leaf  will do.

Stick the leaves in a small jar with just enough water to cover the end of the stem. Make sure that only the stem is touching the water -- African violets do not like to keep water on their leaves.

 

Wait until the roots are strong enough before planting them in soil.  Sometimes leaves sprout near the roots.

 

With tender loving care and good soil, you will be delighted to see the   above result.  Have fun.

Source:  Let's Make Something by the airport blog.