“This year, more than ever, everyone is talking about plants that need less water” – event organizer Burford Hurry
There are at least 1,400 people in the Algarve who think it’s fun to dig in the dirt. They gathered at the first annual Feira de Plantas in São Brás de Alportel on Saturday.
They came to wonder at a plethora of nature’s creations. To see, imagine, and purchase a bit of living beauty. To take something home, put it in the ground, and watch it grow. They also came to share the joy of it all with kindred spirits.
In the sprawling, elegant courtyard of the Museu do Traje, 20 curated nursery owners brought their colorful, exotic, and artful horticultural specimens. Sales were obviously brisk, judging by the number of people lugging a wide variety of botanical beauties.
There were 15 escoteiros (boy scouts) on hand to help carry plants as well. It was like plants on parade! Of course, whomever toted spiny or thorny plants had to be especially careful walking through the crowds.
“The main reason we are having this event is to give people who love gardening a chance to get together,” said event spokesperson Burford Hurry. “There is always so much to learn and talk about, and we learn from each other.”
Burford, 86, has been gardening since, as a little boy, his mother granted him a quarter acre of land at their home in Johannesburg. That was 80 years ago, and he is still growing things at his current home in Loulé.
Besides organizing this event, he has been active in garden clubs and groups since coming to the Algarve in 1986. “This year, more than ever, everyone is talking about plants that need less water. Everyone who gardens is being very careful about water and going by the ‘Water-Wise’ guidelines.
“Mostly, I love to watch nature. I don’t need my garden to be perfect,” he said. “I don’t use pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. I just leave things alone and everything just seems to get along fine.”
Along with Burford’s guidance, Marlis Weissenborn was the chief organizer: “We had so much cooperation with everyone involved. The Amigos do Museu do Traje did a lot of work to make this happen, including the catering with a comfortable coffee area.
“The Câmara Municipal de São Brás de Alportel was very helpful with barriers, rubbish bins, and other essentials. All the small growers and nurseries were working together.”
Marlis is active with a network of small Algarve garden clubs called OG10. From this network, she recruited more than 20 volunteers willing to make sure everything went smoothly.
They created a “plant crèche” to hold plants, and then loaded a trail of cars passing by. Miguel Cotton gave an informative talk on fruit trees. Bonsai fans attended a workshop held by the Club Bonsai do Algarve.
Marian Vanneste, a well-known grower of drought-tolerant succulent plants came from her nursery in Porches with a trailer full of plants.
“The fair had a great atmosphere! Everyone was happy to be there. I helped many people who had questions. More and more people want succulents so they can use less water,” said Marian. “I hope they decide to have this fair twice a year. In the Algarve, it’s good to plant in the spring, and even better in the fall.”
There are various times in the Algarve when my wife and I feel like we live in paradise. For us, and many others on Saturday, the Feira de Plantas was just that.
Text & Photos: ERIC ROTH
Eric Roth is a lifelong photojournalist who has recently emigrated from Boston, USA to the Algarve. He loves to cover lifestyle and nature. 926 742 687 | ericrothphoto@gmail.com
