Grenada, Barbados are bloomin’ great

FlowersBRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Two Caribbean countries have walked away with top awards at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Grenada and Barbados both took home gold after impressing judges with their exhibits.

The display, This Place Barbados, highlighted the country’s landscape by illustrating each parish through an arrangement of flowers and shrubbery.

The Barbados Association of Flower Arrangers also won silver in the Sculpture in the Garden division with the display, Under the Waves.

This was the third straight win for Barbados, and brings their medal haul over the 28 years of participating in the event to 18 golds, nine silver-gilt and one silver.

The other regional exhibit, Three Enchanting Islands – Pure Grenada, brought the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to life with a display of floral diversity and showcased greenery and spices all grown in Grenada.

“Our theme this year was inspired by the distinct floral character of the three islands which, although in close proximity to each other in the Southern Caribbean Sea, do not receive the same amount of rainfall. The vegetation and crops grown on Carriacou and Petite Martinique are markedly different from those that thrive in Grenada,” said Grenadian-based designer Catherine John, who led the show team.

“As small islands we are mindful of rising sea levels due to climate change, and our display features the coastline as a reminder of the balance of nature that we all depend upon.”

The gold medal was the 12th captured by the country at the flower show.