With her father encouraging her, Amalia labored actively for more than 25 years to make Athens a green city. It was at her own initiative that the first trees were planted in squares, hills and pavements and the garden in Klafthmonos Square as well as the Royal Garden (today’s National Garden) were designed. The Royal Garden was created right behind the New Royal Palace, just before its construction (1838). Over 500 varieties of plants were ordered from all over the world. Unfortunately, the climate of Athens proved too harsh for many of them and as a result, only some of them have survived to the present day.