Jamaica Horticultural Society flower show in bloom this weekend

ON SATURDAY, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, the showgrounds of the Jamaica Horticultural Society, located at the corner of Gibson Drive and Gibson Close in Hope Pastures, St Andrew, will be as busy as a bee searching for nectar at this calendar event.

And, of course, there will be much nectar to feast on, literally and figuratively. A plethora of flowering and non-flowering, ornamental and food plants will be on sale and on display under the theme ‘Celebrating Nature Beauty’. The beautiful two days will also see the sale of gardening and landscaping items, general decorations, artwork, and so much more at this historical event, once a must-go for Jamaica’s ‘high-society’ people.

According to Frank Cundall’s History of Jamaica, a Jamaica Horticultural Society was first formed in Kingston in 1825. That society eventually went out of existence. During the 1930s, a Kingston and St Andrew Horticultural Society was established, with Sir Geoffrey Gunter being its first president.

The current Horticultural Society was formed in 1955 at the suggestion of a Alvin Virtue of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. The first horticultural show was held at Wolmer’s Boys’ School. There were several different venues for the shows before it was held at the National Arena, where it remained until 1991 when the venue was changed to its present location on the Hope Estate, Hope Pastures.

The Jamaica Horticultural Society (JHS) is a non-profit organisation. Its focus is to promote horticulture as a whole and to raise awareness regarding environmentally sound gardening practices. It works closely with other horticultural societies and garden clubs in the other parishes. There is interaction by way of participation in various shows put on by the societies. It has also maintained a long and productive working relationship with the Jamaica Agricultural Society and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

Its monthly meetings provide a forum where like-minded people from all walks of life can meet to share ideas and learn more about plants. Usually included on the agenda are educational talks, slide presentations and general plant-related information. The society has a membership of roughly 150 people, some of whom are not active members however.

Over the years, the JHS has had at least 15 presidents. Some have served for more than a year at times. The first president was a man named G. H. Scott. The current president is Christine Williams, who is now serving her fourth year in the position.

She has this to say regarding this year’s iteration: “In today’s digitally connected world, we sometimes lose touch with nature. Come and reconnect and be grounded at the JHS showgrounds, where we will be celebrating nature’s beauty.” The gates will be opened at 9 a.m. each day, but closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are going for $800, and $200 for children under 12.