Explore Grenada's 'Tropical Paradise'

‘Tropical Paradise’ is the latest exhibit to be created by Suzanne Gaywood to represent her homeland of Grenada.

‘Tropical Paradise’ is the latest exhibit to be created by Suzanne Gaywood to represent her homeland of Grenada. As she has won nine gold medals at previous RHS Chelsea Flower Shows - including her 2009 entry pictured above - her display is bound to impress.

Suzanne has taken her inspiration from the lush and beautiful isle of Grenada, particularly the rich, fertile interior of the Caribbean island and its tropical rainforest.

A circular pavilion with cedar shingled roof – echoing the colonial-era structures that appear on the island – will be cloaked and surrounded with a mass of colourful plants. Exotic blooms, especially in hot reds, pinks and yellows, will be set off by luxuriant green foliage.

During a recent visit to Grenada Suzanne selected the bold and dramatic plants she loves, including numerous orchids, anthuriums and bromeliads, as well as Musa coccinea and other ornamental bananas. Spikes of colour on the exhibit will also come from a mass of heliconias, including giant cultivars Heliconia chartacea ‘Sexy Pink’ and Heliconia wagneriana.

A range of ornamental gingers will evoke the scent and spiciness of Grenada, renowned as the ‘Land of Spice’. As the tiny island produces a third of the world’s nutmeg supply and other spice trees thrive there, pungent scents permeate the land.

By creating a vivid impression of the colour, sights and scent of Grenada, and demonstrating Suzanne’s love of exotic blooms, ‘Tropical Paradise’ is sure to tempt visitors to travel to the Caribbean island and see its flora beauty for themselves.