Lisbon doesn’t let the grayness of winter get to it . That’s why, if you pass by the Marquês de Pombal traffic circle in the next few days, you’ll notice a colorful transformation: around 11,500 Viola Tricolor, also popularly known as Amores-perfeitos or Erva-trindade, have arrived.
These flowers were chosen by Lisbon City Council’s gardening team to renew the visual appeal of one of the city’s most iconic and “hectic” (traffic-wise) spots.
Why the Amor-perfeito?
The choice of this species is not merely aesthetic. At a time when many plants go into dormancy, pansies stand out for their extreme adaptation to any environment, even the most urban.
Authentic urban survivors, these flowers are known for their:
- Resistance to cold
- They withstand the low temperatures and humidity typical of Lisbon’s winter without losing their vigor;
- Diverse color palette
- the combination of shades of yellow, blue, purple, pink and white breaks up the monotony of the surrounding asphalt;
- Simple maintenance
- Being hardy plants, they ensure that the beds remain ornate until next spring with minimal intervention.
The invisible work in the flower beds
If you’re one of those who rush between Avenida da Liberdade and Parque Eduardo VII, the colorful carpet will magically appear. However, this is a very rigorous process.
The team of municipal gardeners has already started the technical work that includes tilling and levelling the soil, which are fundamental steps to ensure that the drainage and nutrients allow these more than 11,000 plants to remain in full health during this winter, which is proving to be very cold.
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