More colour in the gardensP

You could probably fit in about nine or ten football pitches in the Gibraltar Botanical Gardens, so you would have thought that they could have managed to introduce more colour in some areas of the 55,000 square metres plot on the Red Sands.

"It's not an uncommon remark, made by some who visit us here, both tourist and local," the words of John Cortes, director at the Botanic Gardens. John tells me the sentiment is taken on board but it's not an easy one to tackle.

"Colour"is difficult in these gar dens because for most of the time sunshine is in shortsupply for these purposes,I'm informed.That lucky old sun doesn't hit the gardens till late it seems. It doesn't manage to creep over the Rock rill about 10am and then its rays are barely allowed through because of all the heavy trees and thick branches growing all around. However "with more planning and better resources the colour issue could be tackled more successfully," says John.

"Speaking of the need for more colour, a lawn is what's needed to plant more bulbs and that's some thing we're looking at favourably".

Despite the shade problem, John says this year has been a more 'colourful' one.

But it's not all to do with colour, pretty as many species are. The Alameda Gardens are of botanical importance as well. We have some important species of succulents here of international repute. There

Despite the shade prohlem, John saysthis year has heen a more 'celourfurone are about 300 species of plants and over 70 species of trees in the gardens and some,like the Dragon Tree, pre-date the opening of the gardens in 1816 and are more than 200 years old!

Another attraction is the Dell with its sunken gardens and its inhabited ponds.There's the'must see' view that I'm sure everybody finds so calming and peaceful — that's the view from the bridge. The Dell is looked after by 81 year old Jimmy Catania with a lot of love and affection. In fact this is one area in the gardens where more colour is evident.

Then we have the monuments, where the Duke of Wellington,Gen eral Eliott and others are depicted. There's the Wildlife Park which is a popular attraction, especially for youngsters. The Open Air theatre, on the edge of the gardens, is in constant demand by local drama groups, particularly during the summer months, and the recently opened reception area situated at the southern end of Grand Parade offers information and a cup of tea or coffee just before you start your trek around the gardens.

"I'm very excited about our cot tage exhibition which we hope to open in the not too distant future. There, you will be able to learn all about the Alameda Gardens. Did you know that two of the Humphries [nearby residential] blocks were going to be built next to and in the actual gardens?" John asks. "Nope," was my quick reply.

14 staff members are tasked with keeping the gardens up to scratch and are kept very busy looking after the whole area. Pruning and planting is ongoing, whether it be Gibraltar plants, species typical of this region,or African,American or Australian varieties of vegetation.

I'm sure they check the archway made out of the jaws of a whale periodically too, to see that it's still holding up to the elements,after all, it's been standing there since 1842 or thereabouts.

"For many years the gardens were in a mess and unmanageable, particularly during the 70s and 80s. Nothing was done. There was rubbish everywhere," John tells me. Wildlife (Gibraltar) Ltd took over the management of the Alameda Gardens in 1991 as a Botanic Gar den. Restoration and development of the area is part of the job.

A subject that rears it's ugly head every so often is vandalism and drug use in the grounds. I'm told it's not so rampant these days mainly because the garden gates are locked at night.During the summer holidays when youngsters have more time on their hands and they get a bit bored, they do manage to get in at night and tamper with the plants and embark on a little wan ton destruction.

Perhaps they take the words of the Lt Governor of Gibraltar, Sir George Don, who in 1815 called for an Alameda to be established and said, "there being no place of public recreation in this garrison... etc etc," too much to heart! No,the then Governor was referring to cre ating an area where the inhabitants mightenjoy a walk around gardens, where the air was protected from the extreme heat of the sun.

"The only other 'interference' of sorts we experience," John tells me, "is when the odd vagrant or hitch hiker manages to get in and takes possession of a bench, or an area to pitch a tent for the night."

Well it's during the daytime,that the gardens have to be used and enjoyed,butsometimes I wonder if we take enough advantage of that. Yes mothers take their children to the play park quite a bit I've noticed — maybe it should be made bigger affording more of a play area for the toddlers.But you know what would be nice? That lawn John spoke about... or maybe two. One for his bulbs and another for picnicking! How does that sound?

Some people use the gardens as a thoroughfare to avoid climbing Europa Road if they're heading south, and atthe same time take advantage of that shade George Don intended us to enjoy, particularly in July and August. Clearly the Alameda Gar dens is a place to go to in spring, autumn or winter. The trouble is, as far as I'm concerned,I just don't remember it's there,do you?

Well just remember this. The gardens are laid out with many, many paths that lead to all areas, eventually. The layout is a bit like a maze really, with all that limestone on the edge of the walkways.You'll be reminded of Gibraltar's military history at almost every turn, with cannon and busts of famous mili tary heroes of Gibraltar's past. It's less aggressive at the next turning perhaps, when you come across an open space with a bandstand!

And here's another bit of info 1 wasn't aware of. There's a plaque on the bridge above the Dell that says Guiseppe Codali, a Genoese gardener and horticulturist, was responsible for much of the work evident in the gardens today. The Dell was re-inaugurated in 1992 by his grandson Lionel Codali, who didn't follow in his grandpa's foot steps — quite the opposite.

So next time you have some time on your hands to spare, take a walk on the wild side and pay the gardens a visit. It's pleasant and exhilarating. There may not be a lot of colour to behold, but there's plenty to see and who knows, you may even learn how to pronounce, Melaleuca decussate. I didn't... But my visithasn'tbeen in vain,at least I've learned that it's a plant species from Australia!

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