Yesterday the Garden Club of Trinidad launched the club's 2009 calendar, Gardening in Trinidad 2009. The launch was held at Chris Talma's home in the Santa Cruz valley. The showbench theme was "orchids" and there were some spectacular examples of unusual varieties. The Santa Cruz valley is exquisite at the best of times but from Chris's home, it is truly remarkable. 
The club's committee always manage to make their duties appear effortless. All of us who have ever served on a committee know that this could not be further from the truth. Below are the stalwarts and backbone of the club: Chancy Moll, president, Janice Potter, secretary and past vice-president and Jacinta, the ever-efficient treasurer.
This swing hangs from the magnificent saman tree that sits on the front lawn and looks over the northern range. 
If I ever had to leave this country, this is the image that I would take with me. The saman branches stretched out against the backdrop of the northern range. This view says home so strongly: branded on my bones. When I land in another country, it's hard for me to imagine how the rest of the world navigates without mountains. 
A walk through the garden turns up beauties such as the berries on this palm
The orange flowers of the bromeliads tied onto a trunk
Here they are in combination - Chris is very good at creating mixed baskets - this is a combination that I would not have thought up on my own but it's one that I am very happy to copy. Bromeliads and calatheas.
5 comments:
just beautiful Sharon! I wish we had such a vibrant club here. We have one here that is like a wet boring rag run by a bunch old hags. I have refused to become a member even though I have opened my garden twice for them to raise funds . Each time I had around 150 persons visiting and spending the whole evening. One member was overheard saying that if i sell one plant I will have to give them a commission! She is well aware of the cost of opening the garden is expensive and I get no help from them. I want things to look great and I employ extra people to pull this off. Some people can be very ungrateful. I had to turn down offers to sell any plants each time since I was too busy playing guide for them. Anyway Keep up the good work!!
as usual, lovely photos.
"When I land in another country, it's hard for me to imagine how the rest of the world navigates without mountains."
This is exactly how I feel, every time I return home and there's the 3 ranges to tell me which way I am headed - and then back to flat Georgetown. Sigh. I can live anywhere there are green mountains.
What spectacular surroundings and definitely exotic from where I'm standing.
I live on the top of a low mountain - at this time cloaked in autumnal yellows, oranges and reds as we head towards the short winter days. I suppose each season brings its delights - I'm about to plant a few more daffodils which will bring an early splash of colour when spring rolls round again.
In the meantime I keep looking at your Trinidadian Eden.
The showbench theme was "orchids" and there were some spectacular examples of unusual varieties. The Santa Cruz valley is exquisite at the best of times but from Chris's home, it is truly remarkable.
Greetings from the most complete garden in the Spanish speaking Caribbean.
One hundred species, with their botanical names as it should.
Until then...
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