The Barbados Horticultural Society has struck gold at the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show in London.
This year’s display coincides with the island’s 60th anniversary of Independence, under the theme “On the Road to 60”and features a beautiful exhibit around a replica of the Independence Arch in Bridgetown, which was unveiled in 1987 on the 21st anniversary.
“The exhibit reflects on excellence, pride, and industry in sugar and rum; fisheries; craftsmanship (pottery); tourism; and cultural diversity. The selection of plant material and accessories is intended to show our growth and resilience over the past 60 years,” said a media release.
Judging is done in secrecy, “in the dead of night” when the hall is empty and the team arrived this morning to discover “that distinctive-looking Gold Medal Certificate proudly perched in a prominent position on the stand”.
The exhibit symbolizes three key elements: “Time Immemorial,” represented by plants common on the island at the time of its settlement like Ficus citrifolia; plants described as barbadensis; and Anato, used by the Arawaks, the island’s original inhabitants; “The Colonial Influence”, represented by the colours of the Union Jack: Andraeanum Tropical (red anthurium) and Andraeanum Acropolis (white anthurium) on royal blue bases; and “The African Influence”, represented by plants symbolising the hardship and resilience of the enslaved using cacti, agave, and bromeliads, as well as the rhythms of Africa with colourful crotons and flowers. Overall, there is a preponderance of yellow, representing joy and hope for an ever-progressive Barbados despite the challenges. All of this has been painstakingly positioned by the arrangers to create a captivating, artistic array of exotic blooms and foliage.
With this latest medal, the Barbados haul moved to 24 gold, 12 silver-gilts, and 1one silver in 37 appearances at the Chelsea Flower Show.
“The strikingly beautiful “On The Road To 60” display has generated tremendous interest and inspired numerous compliments from the many thousands of people who have visited the stand so far, and the approximately 150 000 who will continue to do so throughout the week,” the statement noted. “This was particularly evident during Monday’s special Celebrity and Royal Family opening day. Appearing as our Barbados guest celebrity was the British reggae legend and Barbadian-born Dennis Bovell, alongside his wife, Lynn Bibby-Bovell.”
Also in attendance were Edmund Hinkson, the Barbados High Commissioner to London, and his wife Beverly Smith-Hinkson, and Elan Mottley of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (PR/SAT)
