Plant Inspirations
July 2008 ~ A Cayman Islands Garden |
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Where are the Cayman Islands? We were frequently asked this question whilst
exhibiting at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Well, they’re situated 180
miles south of Cuba and 195 miles north-west of Jamaica. And the highest
point on the island is a grand 30 feet. So gardening here is a challenge as
plants and gardens have to contend with the hurricane season from May to
October and a dry, sunny period from November to April. But the islanders
have created beautiful gardens, overcoming the vagaries of a demanding
climate and the typical garden seen today is the Sand Garden. |
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The gardens are called Sand Gardens because of the use of white sand that
acts as a mulch. The sand is usually swept once a week, removing any debris
that has fallen from plants, using brooms made from the Small Leaf Rosemary
Bush. So that the islanders can enjoy a ‘White Christmas’, a fresh layer of
white sand is applied just before Christmas Day. The pathway to the front
door is made from dead bits of coral that have been collected from the beach
and this acts as a ‘doorbell’ – visitors footsteps on the coral create a
scrunching sound as they walk towards to the front door. The pathway is
typically lined with conch (pronounced ‘conk’) shells, large and beautiful
pastel-pink shells. |
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The focal point of the Sand Garden is the traditional Caymanian cottage, a
wooden structure with a tin roof, modest in size and painted in traditional
pastel colours. The garden itself is typically bordered between road and
garden by a dry stone wall made from the island’s limestone. White picket
fences are used to mark the boundary between neighbours’ properties.
Usually, a wooden arch is positioned at the entrance to the garden and a
climbing Rose or a Jasmine can usually be found twining its way up through
the woodwork. |
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Cayman Island terrain consists mainly of limestone with thin layers of
extremely well-drained alkaline soil dotted here and there. This is another
challenge. As a result, the plants used in Sand Gardens are those that have
to cope with what is above and below ground. There is usually a mix of
ornamental and crop plants and the ornamental plants used are those that
require very little water.
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Crop plants take priority and these include Coconut Trees, Bananas, the
Silver Thatch Palm (endemic to Grand Cayman and used for making rope,
baskets, hats and shoes), Mango, Papaya, Plum, Cherry, Breadfruit, Tamarind
and Cassava as well as smaller but equally important foodstuffs such as
Sweet Potatoes, Yams, Okra, Corn, Plantains and Pumpkins. The large palms
and fruit trees provide shade for the small plants underneath. |
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The ornamental plants include Hibiscus, Croton, Jasmine and Bromeliads (for
example, the Air Plant), and some of these are placed near to windows and
doors so the fragrance and colour produced by the flowers can be enjoyed.
Orchids are also to be found in the gardens and around the house and the two
endemic species are the Wild Banana Orchid and the Ghost Orchid. |
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Despite the varying climate, Caymanian gardens are filled with wonderful
plants and lush vegetation that is both edible and ornamental. A bit like
many UK gardens really! |
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Newington
Nurseries, a haven for plant lovers, on the A329, Newington, nr.
Stadhampton, Oxon |
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