Madeira's essence as a garden is being questioned due to the contrast between public and private spaces. While some locations retain their floral identity, critics and residents point to failures in maintenance and the lack of chromatic investment in streets, where green often is limited to foliage and grass.
One example cited is the cable car, with its colorful and well-maintained private garden, in contrast to the public Admiral Reis garden, located side-by-side. The Praça do Povo, a space with strong symbolism for the victims of the 2010 storm, has faced criticism from parties and citizens due to its state of abandonment.
This scenario suggests that climate and sea spray are not impediments to vegetation thriving, raising questions about the lack of investment or planning in public maintenance compared to private initiatives.