EXPLORE
The first flowering on the Strongylodon macrobotrys, "Jade vine" at the Flower Forest Photo: David Spieler
Curcuma roscoena, "Pride of Burma" at the Flower Forest Photo: David Spieler
Etlingera corneri, "Siam Rose" at the Flower Forest Photo: Lana Spieler
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Ins & Outs of Barbados
GARDENS
GARDENS
ne 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. Flower Forest, Welchman Hall Gully and Hunte’s Gardens are all within 10 minutes of each other and Orchid World is a few minutes away in the cool elevated areas of St. George. Andromeda Gardens is in the seaside district of Bathsheba. The Flower Forest, formerly Richmond Sugar Plantation, is situated in the verdant highlands of St. Joseph. The endeavour of turning it into a botanic garden was started by a group of passionate horticulturalists in the 1970’s. David Spieler, well known in his role at Earthworks Pottery, recently bought the property and has thrown himself into the never ending task of both preserving this national treasure and taking it to a new level with specialist tropical hybrid flowers. Exotic tropical blooms from the Flower Forest were exhibited in 2012 by Barbados at the Chelsea Flower Show in London and the judges singled them out for their special interest. 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 serving light lunches, icecream and drinks and a garden gazebo that is 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 Vicki work unstintingly and can usually be found in the garden. This garden presents a riot of tropical colour for the eyes while the ears are treated to Hunte’s classical music. Jenny Blanc Designs are displaying their new outdoor furniture line, so visitors can choose their favourite view point to sit and relax. Rum punch or lemonade is served. Orchid World has a fine collection of orchids. It is a wonderful place to photograph these extraodinary tropical blooms in colours that are quite rare in plant life. 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 filled with an abundance of flourishing, exotic tropical plants and trees. A wild troop of Barbados Green Monkeys reside there. Andromeda Botanic Gardens is in the picturesque seaside village of Bathsheba on the east coast. It was founded over fifty years ago by world renowned horticulturalist Iris Bannochie. The 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.