Grenada picks up gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017

The Grenada exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 picked up a highly coveted gold medal earlier this week.

This brings the number of gold medals awarded to Grenada to 13 over 19 years of exhibiting at the Show, with three being awarded in as many years to Grenada-based co-ordinator/designer Catherine John and her team of volunteers.

Mrs John, who has led the design team since 2015, brought ‘Pure Grenada’ to London with an exhibition called Historical Botanical Gardens-Pure Grenada.

According to the island’s tourism authority, the piece brought the country to life “with a fragrant and exuberant representation of the island’s Botanical Gardens, founded in 1886 and for generations a much loved place to visit.”

The multi-layer design emphasised the rich flora typical of Grenada, and was accented with scented spices and a focus on the island’s verdant foliage.

“Historical Botanical Gardens-Pure Grenada acknowledges an institution very much in the hearts of Grenadians, and promotes our islands’ extraordinary biodiversity, showcasing the different blooms, foliage and spices that thrive at different levels of vegetation,” John said.

“Our rainforest, our orchids and our spices are all represented to reveal their intense colours and fragrance and really stand out from the floral displays at the show.”

The foliage and spices were grown in Grenada and arranged ahead of a VIP press day on Monday, which included Grenada-born Johnson Beharry VC – recipient of the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

Other British celebrities included controversial TV personality Piers Morgan and singer, radio host and TV presenter Gloria Hunniford.

Patricia Maher, CEO of Grenada Tourism Authority, said: “Pure Grenada, the spice of the Caribbean, boasts an enthralling natural landscape and the design team has once again provided visitors to the world’s greatest flower show with an authentic taste of the island.

“The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is truly a world stage and continues to play a prominent and acclaimed role in enticing visitors to our islands, where they are free to wonder at our abundant natural beauty.”