- CONTRIBUTED
The Jamaican exhibit which wowed visitors at the show.
JAMAICA'S RENOWNED floral artistry was on full display at Flower Mart 2006, the premier outdoor festival for garden and floral enthusiasts from the mid-Atlantic United States region, which was held from May 5 to 6, in Washington, D.C.
The event, which was staged on the grounds of the historic Washington National Cathedral, was held under the theme 'Flowers Around the World' and comprised exhibitions from several countries, particularly Western Europe. Jamaica, the only country from the Caribbean which participated, staged exhibits featuring arrangements utilising native plants and display materials.
Well-known local floral designer, Marigold Harding, headed the Jamaican exhibit team.
Mrs. Harding, wife of noted Jamaican attorney, Dr. Oswald Harding, is a veteran of the international flower show circuit and has participated in, and represented Jamaica at major events, such as the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in the United Kingdom, where she has been an exhibitor for the past six years. She has also represented the country at the noted Canada Blooms Festival, as well as other exhibitions in Belgium.
She is the first Jamaican ever to be named as an international judge in floral arts competitions.
"The invitation to Jamaica to participate in the 2006 festival was a reflection of the (significant) interest in Jamaica and what we do. We've been very successful in other arenas, such as sports and education ... so using this medium will provide yet another aspect of Jamaica - its flora and fauna - that people have not traditionally seen," Mrs. Harding said.
Jamaica's participation was made possible by sponsorship from Air Jamaica Ltd. and Pan Jamaican investment Trust Ltd., with respect to transportation as well as logistics.
