Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society, @Agave Gardens
The science of growing plants, learning garden esign and how plants affect our environment
The Hills Garden Visit was a joy we were greeted by the most beautiful lawn, soft, meticulous and green and the charming hosts Mr. and Mrs. Hill, Eleasia the ‘master gardener’ of the couple has many collections and she favoured a wide variety of Coleuses, and Ferns all with loving care and kept as close to perfection as it gets.
Here are a few photos compliments of Joy.
Just in case any members are interested I recieved this from Agnes and Maudlyn and think we can all get involed.
Ministry of Health, Social Transformation and Consumer Affairs
Community Development Division
Homes, Families & Gardens Festival Competition 2011
Official Entry Form
Name (In Block Capital) …………………………………………………………………
Address …………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Phone: Home…………………………….
Cell ………………………………
Work …………………………….
Direction/Location ……………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Type of Garden: (a) Flower Garden
(b) Fruit/Vegetable Garden
(c) Garden/landscape – Pools, Ponds,
Aquarium, Hedges, Ornamentals
I hereby agree that I shall comply with the Rules governing the Competition and will accept the Judges’ Decision.
Dated this …………….. Day of ………………… 2011
…………………………………….
Signature
N.B All entry forms must be returned to the Community Development Department no later than the closing date October 31, 2011. Late entries will be not accepted.
Adjudication Exercise will be carried out during the months of November 15 – 30, 2011
Please contact the CDD regarding queries or information at 562-7243/2716
Homes, Families and Gardens Festival 2009
Rules for Garden Competition
(a) Flower Gardens
(b) Fruit/Vegetable Garden
(c) Garden/Landscape- Pools, Ponds, Aquarium, Hedges, Ornamentals
a. Tidiness and Layout
Whether the garden is orderly and does not appear to be jumbled.
Gardens should be neat.
Weeds, insects and disease control. Gardens should be relatively free of weeds and damage caused by insects or disease.
Whether the garden appears as a temporary planting for entry in the competition only, or whether it can be expected to play a part in enhancing the beauty and productiveness of the community. Attention will be given to gardens protected by hedges and or fences. Whether trees have been planted in gardens where they could be grown with advantage.
Whether any attempts have been made to provide the best growing conditions by cultivating the soil, the use of organic and inorganic manures, and mulching where necessary measures taken to prevent soil erosion.
Whether plants are robust or week in appearance, they should not be pale in colour nor stunted in growth.
Plants grown should be suited to the environment and the conditions under which they are grown.
Joy is one of our very passionate gardeners, she shares her developing ‘pocket’ garden.
We refer to it as a pocket garden because of its small size, It is a new garden, just over a year in the making,but full of charm and diversity many of the plants have been grown from seed or small cuttings and are still not yet fully grown. The garden includes all the standards;
Because of its small size, there is an organizational system in place. The grass path around the house allows the dogs free range without sacrificing the plants and the garden areas are bordered with ground cover for definition. The bromeliads at the home’s entrance are followed by a young Cassia tree juxtaposed across from a Christmas candle tree. One side of the garden path has alternating red and yellow Lantana and the two focal points at the back of the garden: a flamboyant tree on one side and an African Tulip tree on the other have yet to bloom. Lushly integrated into this mix are banana and papaya trees, sugar cane and a small collection of herbs for making teas.
An outside eating area was recently added , flanked by an orchid tree and a powder puff tree (both still very young). This delightfully charming garden, is just a stones throw from the ocean so there is a never ending melody of oceanic sounds which work well for background dinner music.
Joy has promised her garden will be open for viewing in November 2011
For more details contact Joy at joyfarrellnyc@hotmail.com
Our beloved bougainvillea, what would a caribbean garden be without one or two of these beauties.
Bougainvillea (pronounced /ˌbuːɡɨnˈvɪliə/)[2] is a genus of Flowering Plants native to South America . Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus. The plant was classified by Europeans in Brazil in 1768, by Philibert Commerçon, a French botanist accompanying French Navy Admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage of circumnavigation.
In the landscape, it makes an excellent hot season plant, and its drought tolerance makes bougainvillea ideal for warm climates year-round. Bougainvillea has a high salt tolerance, which makes it a natural choice for color on coastal regions. As a woody clambering vine, bougainvillea will stand alone and can be pruned into a standard, but it is perfect along fence lines, on walls, in containers and hanging baskets, and as a hedge or an accent plant. Its long arching branches are thorny, and bear heart-shaped leaves and masses of papery bracts in white, pink, orange, purple, and burgundy. Many cultivars, including double flowered and variegated ones are now readily available. These plants are relatively pest free.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joy Farrell 268-561-5881
www.antiguahorticulture.com
info@antiguahorticulture.com
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA SECOND ANNUAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW and AWARD RECIPIENTS
April 20, 2011…………Despite the looming threat of thunder showers, more than 300 people turned up to celebrate the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society’s Second Annual Flower and Garden Show held at GARD this past Saturday April 16th.
Horticultural enthusiasts and visitors to the show were treated to a spectacular array of flowers and plants both from vendors and entrants to the flower and plant competition. Hellsgate Steel Orchestra and the Antigua and Barbuda Royal Police Force Band and the Expressions Chorus conducted by Miss Debbie Eckhert provided the entertainment.
Judges Edith ‘Snookie Oladele’ head Judge, Myrna Kelsick, Jean Derrick, Johanna King (Visiting President from Barbados Orchid Society) were on hand to judge the various categories of flower and plant entries.
His Excellency Sir Eustace Francis Governor General’s Deputy was on hand to present the awards and say a few words.
Some of the ABHS award recipients included:
The highly coveted Best in Show award, for the second year running, went to Mr. Montgomery Lewis for his red bougainvillea, in the flowering potted plants category. Mr. Lewis also took second place in the floral displays for his impressive arrangement of imported anthurium and heliconia.
Mrs. Sylvana Moses was another big winner. She took home three first prizes for her floral entries, under three different categories: tropical, dried and miscellaneous. Her dried arrangement included an innovative use of coconut cloth and other dried components to create a stunning dried wreath. ABHS member Mrs. Maudlyn Evans took home second place in the dried floral arrangement category.
Mrs. Marcia English won an amazing 4 firsts in the potted plant category including a first place award for her spectacular Beaucarnea Revoluta (ponytail palm). ABHS president Barbara Japal won first prize in the Ferns category for her Aspernum Nidus (Birds Nest Fern) while her 94-year-old father Mr. Eddie Mannix took home second prize for his Polypodium (celery fern). Mrs Evelyn Jacobs one of our very active Members took home a 1st and 2nd place ribbon.
Mrs. Martha won a second place for a wonderful wild flower display complete with a waterfall in our miscellaneous category.
In the Fruit and Vegetables segment of the competition, Judges, Brent Georges and Carolyn Thomas were on hand to award an honorable mention to Fitzmorgan Greenaway for his overweight pumpkin (over 30bs) and a first prize to Fitzi Semper for his lettuce.
Head Judge Mrs. Edith ‘Snookie’ Oladele remarked that she was impressed with the overall quality of the entries this year. She went on to say that the society would endeavour each year to raise the quality with periodical workshops on the various aspects of exhibiting.
ABHS President Barbara Japal extended special thanks to LIAT for providing The Best In Show’ winter with a ticket to Barbados and Mr. Sean Smith of LL creations for their water feature which was raffled, Hortico for their display garden and Dave Martin for his paving work in the ABHS sustainable display garden as well as Roberta Williams of GARDC for our enduring partnership.
ANTIGUA BARBUDA FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW RULES FOR EXHIBITORS
All plants must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor for a minimum of three months.
Presentation is very important, size of the pot, must be in balance with the size of the plant
If plastic pots are used they must be clean of any soil, moss, algae.
Clay or terracotta pots can be presented with typical moss and algae growth that they acquire with age.
All plants must be healthy, well groomed, leaves can be cleaned with water mixed with a little milk and gently wiped with a soft cloth.
Oiling or polishing is not allowed
4. All entries must be labeled/ owners name, phone number, and name of the plant, please also use the botanical name.
5. All plants must be in before 10 A.M on Saturday April 16th to obtain entry, we have made provisions to receive plants from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday April 15th and from 8 am to 9: 50 AM on Saturday April 16th 2011
Be sure all are in excellent condition and well washed, and attractively displayed, rooted plants can be soaked in cold water to keep fresh throughout the show.
Ground provisions must be scrubbed free of mud washed and dried scrubbed clean with a soft brush.
Categoris are
Leafy,
Fleshy,
Roots
Tubers
Bulns
Legumes
Herbs
Also call Mrs. Roberta Anthony at Gard 463 4121 for further details
Floral arrangements
So you want to take the prize home!!!
“Remember, Flower arrangers work to share their unique grasp of nature around them and to create beauty; by so doing they enrich both themselves and the viewers of their particular creation.”
So, to take the prize, follow these tips:
For example: If the criteria states using 12 ixoras do not use 13 or your arrangement will be disqualified.
Be guided by the basic principles of design which govern ALL successful compositions:
BE ORIGINAL!!!!! Use unusual foliage, flowers, shapes, containers – STIMULATE YOUR CREATIVITY ………AND……… WOW THE JUDGES!!!!!
FLOWER ARRANGING – MUST DO’S
1 – All Plant material must be conditioned in clean water prior to arranging in container – Overnight…
2 – Oasis must be thoroughly soaked – overnight.
3 – Sharp Secateurs must be used to cut plant material.
4. – Bases – for providing space on which an arrangement stands.
5 – Backdrop – 3 sided board, Drapes, palm leaves etc.
6 – In competition: Arrangements must feel within the criteria of size, shape, style and types of material i.e. Foliage, complementary scheme etc.
7 – Follow the criteria closely or lose points.
8 – Mechanics – oasis, tape, wire etc. MUST NOT SHOW OR POINTS WILL BE LOST.
9 – All plant material must be fresh, clean, whole, no insect bites or discolourations, no mites, thrips or mealybug evidence, no necrosis – leaves lacking nitrogen and YELLOWED OR discoloured –no mold on stalks. USE HEALTHY MATERIAL ONLY.
10 – Paints and gilts, glitter not allowed, except the design calls for it i.e. in a dried arrangement.
Program
Saturday, April 16th 2011
Flower and Garden Show
Under the Patronage of Her Excellency
Dame Louise Lake- Tack
for
Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society
Program Flower and Garden Show 11 am to 6.30pm
11 Am Master of Ceremonies
11.15 am Blessing: Reverend Angela Roberts
12 noon Remarks
Barbara Japal, President
Mrs Roberta Williams, Director of Gard
On going
Musical Presentation,
Expressions Choir
Hellsgate Steel Band,
Police Band
Laco ‘s Steelpan
Demonstrations-Horticulture
Entertainment
4.00 pm : Prize Giving, 1,2,3rd Ribbons and Best In Show Presented by
Her Excellency Governor General, Dame Louise Lake-Tack
Vote of Thanks
Special Thanks to the Flower and Garden Show Committees
A preview of the show
Enter the Horticultural Competition
Categories:
Feature Gardens
Educational Seminars
As an Exhibitor..
With more than 500 visitors, we provide you with a unique buying audience
of customers or potential customers.
June 22, 2011
We had a wonderful show despite the threats of inclement weather we pulled it off:
