Jamaica Wins Silver Gilt Flora Award at Chelsea Flower Show

The Jamaican entry in this year’s Chelsea Flower Show in London has received the Silver Gilt Flora award. This award is the highest in the Silver Gilt category, which is the second highest award at Chelsea.
Team leader, Gladys Hakansson told JIS news that the seven-member team from the Jamaica Horticultural Society were delighted with the performance this year.
“We were aiming for gold but the Silver Gilt Flora is a good medal. It’s not a medal to look down on. The team worked very hard and can be proud of this achievement,” she said.
This year’s display titled ‘The Landing’, featured the variety and array of Jamaica’s flora and fauna from the indigenous plants that were here before the arrival of Columbus to those that came with others like the breadfruit with Captain Bligh.
“We touched on everything.there was annatto, tamarind, breadfruit and mango. We decided on a theme that was very Jamaican and covered a broad area which was relevant to the country,” Mrs. Hakansson said. ‘The Landing’ showcased a range of beautiful Jamaican flowers, including the Amigo Anthuriums, both the white and blue Agapanthus and sand from Frenchman’s Cove in Portland.
The Jamaican display was again a popular one at Chelsea and on Monday (May 23) was visited by the Duke of York, Prince Andrew. The Prince was representing the Queen at this year’s show. The Prince expressed delight at the display and had particular interest in the mangoes.
Mrs. Hakansson thanked the Jamaican High Commission and all the sponsors, which included the Jamaica Tourist Board and Air Jamaica, for the support of the Chelsea team. However, she pointed out that with the cost of preparing and staging the show running at some $2 million, there was need for more support for Jamaica to participate each year.
The Royal Horticultural Society in London puts on the annual Chelsea Flower show. The show, which ends on Saturday (May 28), will attract more than 160,000 visitors