Grenada Wins Gold Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show with New Design Team

CHELSEA, May 19 2015 – The Grenada-Cathy John exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 named ‘Pure Grenada’s Rainforest’ has won a Gold Medal.

The all-new Show team, led by Grenadian-based designer Cathy John, brought Grenada to life with a fragrant scale representation of the mountainous rainforest and volcanic crater lake at the heart of the island.

Ms. John’s design emphasises the rich rainforest ferns and flora typical of Grenada’s Grand Etang National Park – accented with scented spices – with a focus on the sometimes-overlooked star of the island’s interior, its verdant foliage.

Ms. John said: “Pure Grenada’s Rainforest depicts Grenada’s mountainous terrain of vibrant green vegetation. Our exhibit promotes Grenada’s extraordinary biodiversity, and showcases the different spices that thrive at different levels of vegetation.”

She added: “Our rainforest, lakes, flowers and other exotic hinterland plants such as golden mature cocoa pods, opening nutmeg pods  – revealing the red mace clinging to the black shell that protects the spicy nutmeg within; cinnamon; cloves; and other spices reveal their intense fragrance to really stand out from the floral displays at the Show.”

The greenery and spices were grown in Grenada by members of the Chelsea team and arranged to Cathy’s design experts ahead of Monday 18 May when the display enthralled Press Day visitors including Dr. Johnson Beharry VC – recipient of the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces, who was born in Grenada; and celebrities including designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and TV personalities Piers Morgan, Nicholas Parsons and Nicky Chapman.

Sharon Bernstein, Director Grenada Tourism Authority UK & Ireland, said: “Grenada boasts an enthralling natural landscape and the design team has provided visitors to the world’s greatest flower show with an authentic taste of Pure Grenada. The Chelsea Flower Show is truly a world stage and Grenada continues to play a prominent and acclaimed role.”