THE DEPARTURE of a number of non-nationals has had an effect on the larger gardens on the island.
But this, says president of the Barbados Horticultural Society (BHS) Orson Daisley, has not stopped the BHS from attracting two new gardens to its 2017 Open Garden Programme.
The first garden on the calendar, that of Gabby and Sybil Edghill, at Jordans, St George, will be on show this Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is the first time the garden will be on show to the public.
Daisley said drought and the loss of gardeners were two problems facing those with expansive properties.
“A lot of these gardeners were Guyanese and with the immigration policy, it affected a lot of people. They can’t find a lot of Bajans who want to do the sort of work big-sized gardens (require) so it does affect them,” he said.
“The sort of gardens we are showing, there is a fair amount of Guyanese who help these people and that has affected us a lot.”
The drought, Daisley added, has also caused at least one property owner to pull out of the programme.
“The person dropped out because of the drought. . . . Despite having a lot of rain, people were reluctant, saying, ‘You know my garden just isn’t going to be ready’. People don’t like to show gardens which they think are half-ready so it has been a big problem,” he said.
Also new to this year’s programme is the garden of Cobblers Cove Hotel, in Road View, St Peter.
Perennial favourites from former government minister Keith Simmons and Ole Dam Mikkelsen, neighbours at Gibbes Hill, St Peter, as well as those at Fustic House, St Lucy and from Jenny Marshall at Lower Greys, Christ Church, will also be on show.
“We have got some good quality gardens. Fustic House is a good one; Keith Simmons is always good – this is about the third time we are showing it – and then Marshall’s at Lower Greys, that is very good garden. She suffered from the drought, but I hear it is looking good this year,” he said.