101 ~ In a Tenerife Garden

Recently I have been taking some photos of a private garden here on the island of Tenerife. I've always been impressed by the way the owner, who has style and a great love of plants, can combine eclectic items to create so much beauty. The islands are in a subtropical climate zone and so there are many tropical plants which will grow easily from a cutting or root. She takes advantage of every chance to root a plant that she doesn't already have in her garden. We are blessed with a mild climate here, and so the phrase ...'Islands of Eternal Spring' is very fitting.

Old Canary Stone Water Distiller

The stone water distiller has been a traditional item in Canary Island homes, being used for filtering and cooling drinking water. It consists of three parts: the top stone basin into which water is poured. A central shelf where the water is collected after it has filtered by dripping down through the stone and a lower basin which collects any overflow from the level above. The system is enclosed in a wooden hutch made from the heartwood of Canary pine. These water filters are now prized as antiques but many are still in use in Canary homes.

Koi Pond

Canary Fern - Helecho de Metro (Goniophlebium Subauriculatum)

The long trailing fronds of this beautiful Canary fern are seen here displayed on top of a closed water distiller. These prized plants are often passed on from one generation to another. The folk name is 'ferns of a meter',
'helechos de metro' referring to their length, when in fact they grow much longer than one meter. I had quite a job tracking down their biological name as even plant nurseries I visited didn't know. Finally I had success in the offices of the Botanical Garden, where the question was put to their computer database. At last I found it to be Goniophlebium Subauriculatum. So if you are ever searching for such a beautiful fern, do take note of the name now because few people know it.

Here's a SLIDESHOW of photos I've taken there. I hope you will enjoy looking!

Thanks for dropping by, and hasta la vista!

58 ~ The Orchid Garden

(click to enlarge)
The garden at Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, built in 1730, is one of the oldest gardens on the island of Tenerife. The privately owned estate is known for its collection of tropical and subtropical plants as well as a famous orchid garden which is open to the public.



Once a monastery, the estate was purchased by an Englishman, Mr. Archibald Little, who lived in the villa with his family. It became know at that time as 'Little's Place' which in Spanish evolved into 'Sitio Litre'.

Mr. Little reformed the villa and garden, turning it into a guest house with beautiful surrounding gardens.


Alexander Von Humboldt bonsai garden

It was sold in later years and the present owner, who purchased it in 1996, opened the gardens to the public.

The Aviary

The Orchid Bower



The garden contains one of the oldest dragon trees in Puerto de la Cruz and the orchid garden with the largest collection on the island.



Frangipani (Plumeria Alba)

Among the well-known people who stayed at Sitio Litre when it was a guest house are Alexander von Humboldt, Oscar Wilde, Marianne North and Agatha Christie with her daughter Rosalind.


It was here that Agatha Christie was inspired to write 'The Mysterious Mr. Quinn'.

A luncheon for the charity group 'Friends of Tenerife' held amidst beautiful surroundings at the outdoor cafe in The Orchid Garden.

The garden has a Koi pond, a small gift shop and a charming outdoor cafe.

Open from 9:30 to 6 pm daily.
Telephone 922 38 24 17
Calle Sitio Litre s/n, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.