Puerto de la Cruz or Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava Tenerife.

My good friend Chris Ridley has slapped my wrists for not blogging recently. The thing is, I love taking photographs rather than writing (less thinking involved) so will start a new series that are more photographically lead.

I have just come back from hosting a garden themed cruse around the Canary Islands and Madeira with Matt Biggs from Gardeners Question Time. He says he is only a gardener, but his knowledge of plants is astounding, hence he is always good to travel with and an excellent friend to boot. This is my twelfth year hosting tours for Victoria Travel, many being with Matt B.

To get things rolling, here are a few photographs of plants in the botanical gardens of Puerto de la Cruz or Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava Tenerife. The temp that day was 22C (72F) we had 41 avid gardeners in tow on this visit.

Erythrina coralloides

Erythrina coralloides — at botanical gardens of Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife.

Justicia aurea

Pachystachys coccinea

Alpinia zerumbet

Anthurium hybrid

Philodendron gloriosum

Any idea what this one is?

Matt Biggs photographing the following Anthurium pic

Anthurium seedpod

Aloe plicatilis — at botanical gardens of Puerto de la Cruz Tenerife.

Pyrostegia venusta in all its glory.

Euphorbia pulcherrima flower detail

And finally here is our illustrious group of keen gardeners…

Part of our 41 strong Victoria Travel garden group - a few went of to do their own thing!