December 2010 - The Bulletin Magazine

in the garden
Tropical Garden Explorations
Part 1: History Beyond the Hotel
by Georgie Kennedy, Lake Simcoe South Master Gardener
Many Canadians are lured to the Caribbean by images of sunny white sand beaches, swaying coconut trees and
shaded comfortable lounge chairs. Ice tinkles in pink drinks. The moon and stars rise over gently lapping water
as you enjoy your evening meal on the cut stone seaside terrace. Truly, this is the complete vacation scenario
at a resort or villa.... unless, like me, you’re an avid gardener who wants to explore the country to see what’s
growing. You craved more than the all-inclusive experience as you gawked at the green vegetation the moment
the island came into view.
Using beautiful Jamaica as an example, whether you stay
at a five-star hotel in Port Antonio or a hideaway in
Negril, you’ll be surrounded by friendly people happy to
advise about garden
destinations. Ask for what
you’ve dreamed of:
botanical garden, palm
reserve, organic
pineapple farm, sugar
plantation, flower
nursery, rainforest, bird
sanctuary. Arrange for a
knowledgeable guide
who will educate and
entertain. You might hear
about Anansi the spider or
about the wind in the
Frangipani – photo Georgie Kennedy
bamboo. The best time for photographs is early morning when the sun’s light is
kinder to plant colours. Dress in cotton clothing, travel light and stay hydrated.
You’ll be astonished at the beauty and the biodiversity.
Visitors often start botanical explorations by asking which plants are indigenous.
Written records began with the arrival of Columbus in 1494, creating a baseline
for knowledge of plants at that time. However, Jamaica’s first gardens were
planted by the Taino. The Caribbean’s earliest people had likely carried seedlings
and roots from the mainland when they migrated, over a thousand years ago.
They cultivated starches: bitter cassava, sweet potato, maize, yam and arrowroot.
They also grew peppers and legumes such as peanuts, Lima and jack beans, all
Continued on page 35
30 The Bulletin | DECEMBER 2010 www.TheBulletinMagazine.com