FEBRUARY 7th
Chummery, West Ridge Road, Sandy Lane, St James
Garden of Mr and Mrs Tore Hansen-Tanger
Open from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sandwiches & Drinks will be on sale
Mr. and Mrs. Tore Hansen-Tangen have graciously agreed to open their garden for the Barbados Horticultural Society again this year.
This artistically designed and colourful garden is not to be missed. The garden was originally designed by West Coast Garden Centre but for many years has been under the care of the very talented Ann Carter who has added her own creative and artistic ideas, ably assisted by Oswald, John and Michelle the very experienced gardeners working at this beautiful property.
The garden comprises two plus acres of ornamental shrubs, flowering plants, well established Mahogany, flowering and fruit trees, ponds filled with fish and water lilies, a small waterfall surrounded by papyrus, monsterra and other prized foliage.
Giant Victoria Cruziana Water Lilies are a recent addition in the larger pond. These large round leaf lilies some of which get large and strong enough for people to stand on, were discovered in Paraguay by the French Botanist Alcided’Orbigenin 1840. He subsequently named them after Andre de Santa Cruz a General in Bolivia. The flowers which start off female and later become male, appear from the sides of the leaves and the temperature inside the flowers is 6-9 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. In their native country the seeds from these lilies are used to make flour for baking. In the other ponds there are also some new varieties of Lilies.
Winding paths invite one to explore all that this garden has to offer and to wonder at the herbaceous borders and abundance of colour all around. Annual favourites such as zinnias, marigolds, pentas, petunias, begonias and coleus of every colour intermingle with the not often seen flowering shrubs such as “yesterday, today and tomorrow”. Clumps of Strelitzia, various types of gingers including the aromatic Butterfly ginger and several Ylang-ylang trees whose lovely scent becomes more noticeable in the late afternoon. The prized and coveted Jade vine which hangs over the covered bridge is coming into bloom and Oswald has created a map of Barbados with colourful pink Ti and Golden Thread plants for the outline and parish boundaries, while petunias, pentas and other annuals define each parish.
Some of the plants grown in this garden will be on sale. Cool drinks, sandwiches and cookies can be purchased as well.
Admission charges are $15.00 for Non Members, $10.00 for Members and children under 12 years are free.
Directions to Chummery – from the ABC Highway go down Bennet Road through Sandy Lane, turn left on Charley’s Road, at the end turn right, then left on to West Ridge Road, continue and turn left on to West Ridge Gap No. 2 where you will find the entrance to Chummery and ample parking. Look for the BHS Open Garden signs along the way.
From the coast road (Highway 1) turn into Sandy Lane opposite the entrance to the Hotel, go around the round about, keep left up the hill and turn right on to West Ridge Road, continue and turn left on to West Ridge Gap No.2 where you will find the entrance to Chummery and ample parking. Look for the BHS Open Garden signs along the way.