The climate of our city offers us a show of nature without equal. If we add to that the variety of botanical species planted throughout the city, we can assure you that Málaga itself is a botanical garden. A great example is the Paseo del Parque, where there are more than 60 vegetal species from all over the world. Quite a show that makes us enjoy different colors and smells in Malaga gardens at any time of year.
In this post we are going to name the species we like the most and which, during a period of time, transform and beautify the Malaga gardens and public spaces in the historic center.
COMMON NAME: Chorisia
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chorisia speciosa
FLOWERING SEASON: November – December
WHERE TO FIND IT: Cortina del Muelle, Paseo del Parque, Plaza del Poeta Alfonso Canales, Avenida Andalucía
During most of the year, this tree stands out for its stem with thorns and its low leafiness. However, its rough appearance changes when it blooms. Its pink flowers accompany us until well into the autumn and almost winter. It is a tree native to South America (Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay). There are some of great size like the one located in the Paseo del Parque or the recently planted in the new pedestrian area near the back of the cathedral, in Calle Cortina del Muelle. A great show to admire.
COMMON NAME: Jacaranda
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Jacaranda mimosifolia
FLOWERING SEASON: May to June.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Jardines de Puerta Oscura, Plaza de la Merced.
It is one of our most showy and impressive blooms. For more than a month, the violet color takes over the Plaza de Merced thanks to the jacaranda. It is a native species of South America and in Malaga has had a very good adaptation. It also has a yellow variant, although we are much more impressed by this kind. When its flower begins to fall, a violet carpet is created, ephemeral and worth seeing, especially in the Jardines de Puerta Oscura.
COMMON NAME: Bird of Paradise
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Strelitzia Reginae
FLORATION SEASON: December
WHERE TO FIND IT: Paseo del Parque, Cathedral Gardens
This plant stands out for its flower that resembles the head of a colorful bird. It belongs to a tropical and subtropical climate, original from South Africa. In some Malaga gardens also appears its giant variety, the Strelitzia nicolai, and in various places. For example, two huge specimens flank the entrance of the City Hall. Although it seems at first glance a banana tree, when you peek that it has the same flower but in a giant version, it is impressive (it does not have the striking colors of the small variety, we have to say).
COMMON NAME: Hibiscus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hibiscus syriacus
FLOWERING SEASON: From spring to autumn.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Cathedral Gardens, Alcazaba, Paseo del Parque
This exotic plant comes from East Asia. In fact, it is the national flower of South Korea. It is also known as Rose of Syria. It has varieties in pink, yellow, red and orange. In Malaga they appear mainly in red and pink tones. Its flower can be appreciated most of the year. Although the flower has a short life, you can always appreciate some because the plant produces a lot of them.
COMMON NAME: Cercis
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cercis siliquastrum
FLOWERING SEASON: February to April
WHERE TO FIND IT: Avenida De Andalucía
Original species from southern Europe and western Asia, mainly on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Also known as the Judea tree. It blooms before its leaves sprout and its branches form bouquets of flowers between pink and purple. Its heart-shaped flower makes it also be named as the tree of love. It is the flower that identifies the city of Istanbul since its color was the favorite of the Byzantine emperors.
COMMON NAME: Rose
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rosa moschata, rose gallica…
FLOWERING SEASON: From spring until the beginning of winter.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso
There are many variants of this plant and is one of the favorite of plant lovers, for its smell and appearance. Among Malaga gardens, the ones called Pedro Luis Alonso (by the park) are a spectacle for lovers of this flower, since they can see more than 70 different varieties. Passing through the basic colors (red, yellow, white), we observe other more unique tones such as violets or oranges. They can also be seen in different sizes and with different fragrances. Except in winter, there are always species blooming in this garden. Anyway, we recommend your visit in spring, which is when there is a profusion of varieties and colors.
COMMON NAME: Poinsettia
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Euphorbia pulcherrima
SEASON FLORATION: December
WHERE TO FIND IT: Town Hall, Plaza del General Torrijos
Native to the southeast of Mexico, this plant is the favorite one when Christmas arrives. Although there are more than one hundred varieties, it is the red one that gets the attention. Numerous gardens, squares and roundabouts in Málaga are adorned with this plant that blooms from November to February. Although it is an indoor plant, the mild climate of our city does not affect it much. Recently other tones are being introduced such as yellow or orange.
COMMON NAME: Bougainvillea
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bougainvillea
FLOWERING SEASON: All year round
WHERE TO FIND IT: Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso, English Cemetery
This climbing plant blooms all year round in places without frosts, even in winter. There are many varieties, pink, red, white, yellow … In Malaga there are two specimens that you should not miss. One is just below the Torre del Homenaje of the Alcazaba, in the Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso. The other is located at the entrance of the English Cemetery. Both are large, pink and lush.
COMMON NAME: Orange.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrus ariantum
FLOWERING SEASON: February to April. Fruit in December
WHERE TO FIND IT: Paseo del Parque, Cortina del Muelle, Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens, Cathedral gardens
Species introduced by the Arabs along with the rest of citrus trees and which is now so characteristic of our country. In fact, Spain is a great producer of oranges, especially in its Mediterranean border. But this variety basically serves as decoration. Its fruit is bitter and is used only for preparing liquor and jam. By the way, in our Le Grand Tour we teach our visitors to distinguish a bitter orange from a sweet one. Its flower, the orange blossom, is used a lot in perfumery. Along its flowering time, to walk through the streets of Malaga and just smell is simply a marvel. Likewise, seeing the top of the trees full of oranges trees is equally incredible.
If you want to meet any of these species, in our Le Grand Tour we walk through many of these Malaga gardens and stop to admire their beauty. Contact us and book a magical walk through Malaga.
