Hello, garden enthusiasts!

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, the Jamaica Horticultural Society (JHS) opened its gates at the corner of Gibson Drive and Gibson Close in Hope Pastures at 9:00 am to welcome visitors, vendors and patrons from far and wide to its well-anticipated 2023 Flower Show, under the theme “Still Growing Strong”. The flower show had not been possible for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrons and visitors alike queued from as early as 8:30 am to ensure that they were amongst the first to purchase plants, view the spectacular floral displays and horticultural exhibits, learn from lectures and demonstrations on floral arrangements and plant care, to enjoy the sumptuous meals and snacks from the food court and, of course, to win spot prizes. The show continued on Sunday.

The stunning horticultural exhibits in the various categories included flowering and non-flowering plants, combination plantings, anthuriums, foliage plants and a wide range of trending succulents, and cacti plants and arrangements were a feast for the eyes of avid plant lovers, gardeners and landscapers. Special mention must be made of the display of exotic Echeveria and Aeonium succulents from Korea.

The jaw-dropping floral displays from Ikebana International Jamaica – St Andrew Chapter 156; Ohara School and from the society’s first-time exhibitors Janay Madden and Kamelia Russell, who both copped red ribbons (second place) were the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities for many patrons. The St Andrew Flower Arrangers Club meanwhile won the Louise Dorothy Fong Tom Cup for Best Floral Arrangement.

Evadne Stewart, 2023 show committee chair, in her welcome address thanked the sponsors, Evergrow Garden Centre, Rhino, Answers, KOOL 97, Pure Foods and Christopher Senior of Solar Water Features, for their unwavering commitment to the successful staging of Flower Show 2023.

Bindley Sangster, senior adviser in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), representing Minister Pearnel Charles Jr, in his address lauded the JHS for “still growing strong” after the COVID-19 pandemic. He invited the society to partner with the MAF to diversify the society’s operation by exploring potential commercial opportunities, particularly exports, to further grow.

The society’s own multi-talented Jermaine Blake turned up the vibes with his splendid rendition of Growing Stronger by Garnett Silk, which had everyone singing and rocking to the rhythm.

Editor’s Note: Join Sharon Cain for part 2 next week.

Photographers: Naphtali Junior & Shomari Williams