The picturesque gardens located between Rosales Street and a section of Calvario Street have been revamped by the La Orotava City Council to host a new attraction for locals and visitors unique in Canary Islands: a vegetal dragon. This structure, paying tribute to the coat of arms of La Orotava, becomes the highlight of the renovation of this small green space that has been completely revamped.
The premises have three well-defined areas. The lower level is dedicated to Mediterranean plants. The middle is an area where native species rest. Finally, the third is a platform consisting of a traditional garden where the old dragon trees are maintained, interspersed with fifty rose specimens (in reference to the street), and an allegorical vegetal sculpture of a dragon and four apples has been added, clearly referencing the institutional heraldic shield of the Villa of La Orotava. This traditional image was granted by King Alfonso XIII on February 15, 1905, and it shows two winged dragons guarding the four golden apples representing the four villages that at that time constituted the Valley of La Orotava. This garden corner is also linked to the former Augustinian convent of Our Lady of Grace, where the monks grew the roses with which they honoured the sculptural image of the institution.
The Mayor Francisco Linares has pointed out that the adaptation of this unique corner of the urban centre has turned it into a scenic and panoramic spot from the Puente area.
The councillor in charge of parks and gardens, Felipe David Benítez, has emphasized that the local institution works on the constant revamping and improvement of the municipality’s gardens, while also aiming to renew green spaces to make them attractive and, at the same time, meet requirements that promote environmental protection and sustainable areas.
Among other actions, the irrigation system has been adjusted, reducing and adapting it to water needs to make efficient use of water and prevent damage to the dragon trees. An injection system of fertiliser into the irrigation network has also been installed, promoting the application of nutrients. Plant species classified as invasive have been removed and mulching (chipping) has been added to aid moisture retention, with its decomposition helping to improve the soil. Additionally, native plants less demanding in water requirements have been planted, providing greater biodiversity to the space. Furthermore, there has been an overall improvement in the area where the dragon tree roots grow. An informative panel will also be installed in the area.
