If you want a garden that survives the coast's wind, salt and sand, native plants are the way to go — and Amalia Robredo is the regional reference on the subject. Settled since 2002 at La Pasionaria, her seaside farm in José Ignacio, she has researched close to 300 species of herbs and grasses from Maldonado's Atlantic coast and published two books on the topic. She also teaches landscape design at Universidad ORT.

Her naturalistic approach combines beauty and ecological function: resilient, low-maintenance gardens that converse with the landscape instead of imposing on it. From La Pasionaria she gives workshops and organizes guided visits around the farm, a different kind of outing if you want to get to know the local flora. An interview from April 2025 shows her in full activity, training the next generations in the field.