'Planted' happiness at Madrones Garden

By Wein P. Gadian

Plants are known to calm the senses, which in turn brings about an inner peace.

Moreover, the shade a tree provides to the breathtaking colors of various flowers and the manificent rarest of foliage could keep one's temper under control.

A tour at the Madrones Garden in Cansilayan in Guimaras island exactly does these, plus giving one the serenity and breaking the monotony of a hard day's work.

And one need not go such lengths. All these can be had at the end of a 25-minute drive from the Buenavista Port, passing through mango orchards and cascading mahogany trees.

Madrones Garden is a two hectare land complete with tropical and exotic plants.

No doubt proprietor Josefa 'Boy' Madrones need not boast that she has green thumb.

Mrs. Madrones may not have chatted with all the plants found in their garden, but she does take good care of them.

The 57-year-old once teacher of Home Economics teacher for grades five and six resigned after 14 years to concentrate on gardening and planting mahogany trees for leisure while she takes care of a bedridden father-in-law.

In a nutshell, she stopped sowing seeds of knowledge to focus on gardening.

It was actually her friend, American philanthropist Teodore B. Ellerkamp who encouraged her to continue her passion on cutflowers.

Ellerkamp's encouragement and the support of the Guimaras provincial government resulted to the 'sprouted' of the Madrones Gardens.

Monochromatic treat

Green. This is the monochromatic treat for the eyes upon entering the Garden.

Spoty Phylum and bougainvillas, milky way, rare palms, bromelliads and some orchids welcome the visitors.

Now close your eyes and imagine the visual massage.

Adding to the welcome spectacle are the wooden made of materials from tree branches, bamboo and nipa of the garden.

To the left is a pathway that leads to a collection of some 40-50 palm trees ranging from

hampagne, blue, red ivory among others as one is sandwiched by aglonemas, some ornamental plants, heloconias, catleya orchids and the Anthurium Nursery lining up on the sides.

To the right of the wooden gazebo facing a mini wishing well are the rarest collection of heleconias found only in Madrones.

There's the Cigar, Torch, Rattle Snake, Indonesian Wax, White and Red Ginger, Bee Hive among others. They are spread out over a 200-500 square meter area.

Then there's the fruit bearing trees macopa, santol, mango and chico trees. Accenting the scenery are the bananas, bamboo, mahogany trees and others.

Tired visitors can take their siesta in the bahay kubo, which doubles as a kitchen.

It has a sofa collection crafted out of Kamunsil (Kamachili) tree.

Situated across the bahay kubo is the open guest house which overlooks an island. It can also be a prayer room, a dining area or a conference room.

Guests won't forget they're in a garden. At the back of the guest house is a portion of bamboo plantation with heleconias.

Here's a more or less complete list of the plants that can be found at the Madrones Garden:spoty phylum,yellow bells and it's varieties,bogainvillas, euphorbias, cacti family, anthurium, orchids, heleconia collection from Cigar, Rattle Snake, Indonessian Wax, Bee Hive, Torch, Red ginger all commonly known as “Birds of Paradise”, santan and some of its varieties, fortune plants from green to violet, mickey mouse,gumamela, bromeliad collection.

There are also ornamental plants like begonias, milky way, birds nest, money plant, chinese tea in topiary and bonsai, other bonsai plants and more.

The story behind the Garden

Almost all the plants are for sale. The proceeds are then used to pay for the services of her neighbors, who are the ones maintaining the Garden-from planting and replanting, carpentry and felling of trees when needed.

She attributes success to two things: eagerness and industriousness.

“Eagerness to learn and industriousness are the secrets of my success. I never imagined that after 10 years, my garden will be a showcase for Eco-tourism.I started planting mahogany and palms without even planning where they should be planted. Now, I gave away some of the palms because they have grown tall and were already occupying most of the areas.Though I had frustrations, with the constant trust and the support of friends and neighbors I continued my ' hilig ' (passion) for the plants. I am always satisfied to see my plants flowering abundantly and healthy enough that the visitors of the province are referred here and students from various schools come here for a tour. I give all the glory of this to God because I always believe in what He said:'I will never forsake you and I will be with you until the end of time.'”

And oh by the way, there's not much fertilizer used in the Garden.

Mrs. Madrones maintains the fertility of the soil by simply allowing the leaves to rot while separating those which cannot be recycled in one place.

The miracle of how plants can give happiness is always a mystery but whenever you would come to Buenavista, Guimaras, please find time to drop by this paradise; you'll be amazed at how these plants.

Madrones Garden also accepts Landscaping and flower arrangements for all occasions. For inquiries, they can be reached at mobile phone 09164041414.