THE BARBADOS HORTICULTURAL Society (BHS) has received its 17th gold medal in 28 consecutive appearances at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.
The BHS chose the theme Gully Adventure and recreated a local gully in the middle of London.
The team members first erected large wooden panels down two sides of the 20ft x 20ft display stand, faced with fabric covered with beautiful photo images of an actual gully, thus allowing the authentic scenery to be viewed from both the exterior and the interior of the exhibit.
The splendid display of plants and flowers was then arranged within these “gully walls”, complete with a five-foot wide curving path covered with an assortment of dry leaves, tree bark, dry branches and mahogany pods, to enable visitors to enjoy the experience of walking through a gully – just as they would in Barbados. To add even more drama and realism, the recorded sounds of whistling frogs and crickets can be heard in the background.
In an innovative move away from the traditional emphasis on magnificent tropical flowers, this year’s display mainly comprises the wide variety of plants and vines that can be found in a gully, including: bearded fig tree vines, golden pothus vines, dracaenas, schefflera, philodendrums, alocasia, aralias, monstera, strelitzia, crotons, bromeliads, anthurium leaves, several species of ferns and a number of tall palms. To add a splash of vivid colour to the amazing gully scene, a stunning selection of orchids, ginger lilies, heliconias, anthuriums and ornamental bananas have been arranged in key locations.
The working team at Chelsea this year included leader Jenny Weetch, BHS president Orson Daisley, Wayne Ramsay, John Leach and Etwyn Humphrey-Blackett, ably assisted by Sally Miller, Jacqueline Ferdinand and Trevor Hunte.
In addition, there is also a small army of other volunteers who do diligent work behind the scenes throughout the year.
As the Chelsea Flower Show continues for the rest of this week, more than 150 000 attendees will view the Barbados exhibit each day. (PR/NB)
