THE BARBADOS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Barbados Gardens | BHS Events

HISTORY
The Barbados Horticultural Society (BHS) was formed in 1927 by a group of thirteen horticultural enthusiasts, led by Mr. H N Leacock. From the beginning the Society has been affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, an affiliation that has continued to the present time. The Society was incorporated by an Act of Legislature on April 19th 1928.

The Society has taken up the mandate of promoting horticulture and facilitating its development in Barbados. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with a membership of over three hundred.

In 1976, the Society brought the Old Boiling House at Balls Plantation for their headquarters with a small curtilage around the building. They also had their first Flower Show that year in the new headquarters. In 1987, 7.6 acres of land was bought at Balls Plantation to add to the BHS. The long range plan for this is to develop the area into a garden and park for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors to the island.

ACHIEVEMENTS
In 1984 the Barbados Horticultural Society exhibited for the first time at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show. Lack of finances prohibited the Society from participating again until 1988, but since then, they have become ?regulars? winning either Gold or Silver Gilt medals in each succeeding year.

In 1994, the Society was invited by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society to be one of the main attractions at the Philadelphia Flower Show from March 6th ? 13th 1994. The exhibit displayed was very well received and the reviews were excellent.

In 1996 the Society was awarded the Holford medal by the Royal Horticultural Society for the Best Amateur Exhibit for the Year in the UK.

(BHS) BARBADOS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY - "OPEN GARDEN PROGRAMME"
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The Horticultural Society?s (BHS) Annual Open house Programme allows visitors & locals the rare opportunity of viewing some of Barbados? best private gardens. Local garden-owners welcome enthusiasts to see their personal gardens.

Participating Gardens Open for viewing:
Months: January & February
Days: Sundays
Time: 2pm ? 6pm
 
Admission:
Non-members - BDS$10.00 / US$5.00
Members ? BDS$5.00 / US$2.50
One complimentary drink included

BHS - ANNUAL "FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW"
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The Barbados Horticultural Society?s Annual Flower and Garden Show features the best of flora in Barbados and the Caribbean. It also showcases the horticultural and flower-arranging skills of the BHS, who has consistently won gold awards for its displays at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Exhibits by the Bahai Club, the Barbados Cactus Society, Barbados Flower Arranging Society.

Associated Links:
The Royal Chelsea Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society