The charm and exoticism of Serre de la Madone do not rely on large-leaved tropical plants, and still less on succulents. However, their interesting design has helped them find a place in the Garden.
These plants were allocated a very sunny spot by Johnston in the first plots of land he bought in 1924. Many of them, regrettably, have disappeared over the years.
We are reintroducing them now more for their overall effect than for the exclusive purpose of collection.
A few rarities have now found a place in the Rockery - several Puyas, including the very beautiful P. alpestris with its deep-blue flowers, and Echtia tillandsoides, another cousin of the pineapple.
