Botanical exploration in Cordoba

Nicknamed the “messiah of plants”, Carlos Magdalena is one of the most unique and best known botanical horticulturists on the international scene. After travelling to the most far-flung spots on earth, he returns to his workplace, Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens of London, to save endangered species from extinction. 

Magdalena spent several days in Cordoba in September to discover the city’s floral and plant culture, talking with patio caretakers, gardeners, foresters and other experts on nature in Cordoba. At FLORA he will share his experience and conclusions, which are certain to surprise and reward the public. 

Can remote plants like the Agave albopilosa, the Tillandsia or the Albuca find a perfect home in a Cordoban patio? Could the patios and gardens of Cordoba evoke visions of travelling to distant destinations such as the mogotes in Cuba or the vertical faces at the foot of Machu Picchu? Could we redesign our patios and gardens in response to the need for sustainability? There are many unanswered questions and there is a lot we can learn through the dose of imagination and knowledge offered by this unique botanist.