gardens One of the aspects of the tropics that most amazes visitors is the flora - the incredible variety, the vivid colours and just how big the plants can grow. The five gardens that are open to the public year round are all quite different and for that reason each one is well worth a visit – all five of them will amaze you. The Flower Forest, formerly Richmond Sugar Plantation, is situated in the verdant highlands of St. Joseph. It was turned into a botanic garden by a group of passionate horticulturalists in the 1970’s. David Speiler, well known in his role at Earthworks Pottery, recently bought the property and has thrown himself into preserving and improving this natural treasure. Flower Forest offers a relatively easy wander through a haven of lush tropical flora with sweeping views of the Atlantic coastline. The tranquillity of the place is pervasive and the calming influence is nature’s gift to everyone. There is a spacious central facility and a garden gazebo that are suitable for weddings and other events. Nearby, Anthony Hunte has lovingly created an extraordinarily beautiful garden in a natural amphitheatre. Like all truly devoted gardeners he and his assistant Anita work unstintingly and can usually be found in the garden. There is also a very extensive plant nursery with tropical plants from all over the world. Jenny Blanc are displaying one of their new outdoor furniture lines, so visitors can choose their favourite view point to relax. Orchid World has one of the finest collection of orchids in the Caribbean. It is a wonderful place to photograph these extraodinary tropical blooms in colours that are quite rare in the plant world. There are thousands of plants from all over the world on display in tastefully designed grounds. Historic Welchman Hall Gully was one of the Barbados National Trust’s first acquisitions after it was established in 1961. Today it is under the energetic stewardship of Deborah Branker who works tirelessly to keep the gully in good condition. A wild troop of Barbados Green Monkeys reside there. Like the Greek maiden for whom the gardens are named, Andromeda Botanic Gardens clings to the rocky hillside of the picturesque seaside village of Bathsheba on the east coast. Founded over fifty years ago by world renowned horticulturalist Iris Bannochie, Andromeda’s lush gardens span 6½ acres and host a horticultural collection containing about 650 species from the Caribbean, Tropical Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and Pacific Islands. It is now owned by the Barbados National Trust under the stewardship of Vicky Goddard.
The Ins & Outs of Barbados
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