CHARLES KONG SOO
Members of the Garden Club of Trinidad hope that their book Gardening in Trinidad and Tobago: Our Style inspires more people to learn, take up an interest in gardening and instill pride in their surroundings.
Dr Chancy Bachan-Moll, the author of the book said it was more than a coffee-table book because of the wealth of information contained in it. She said it was part of the club’s mandate and constitution to teach, educate, and encourage gardening in a fun-filled way.
The 170-page coffee-table book was launched at Stollmeyer's Castle, on December 6, 2018, at First Citizens ‘Art in Banking’ reception.
The full-colour photos highlight different types of gardens, large, small, water and shaded gardens. There are also sections on wildlife, the use of garden accessories, exotics, and colour.
The beautifully illustrated book is filled with hundreds of various flowers such as chaconias, orchids, anthuriums, and bromeliads photographed by Michelle Jorsling, Susan DeGannes, Jeannine Story and Peter Moll, a horticulturist and Bachan-Moll's husband. Marie-France Aqui was the graphic designer and Marlene Davis edited it.
The Sunday Guardian spoke with Lorraine Agostini, president of the club and Dr Chancy Bachan-Moll on Wednesday.
Agostini said their club grew from ten enthusiastic members to more than 100 today.
“The club is 25 years old, one of the foundation members was Dr Johnny Lee and the first members are listed in the foreword in the book. We meet once a month usually at a member’s home or place of interest for us to learn and we’ve been doing a fund-raising calendar for the past 12 years.
“The club is made up of enthusiasts and one or two people who are really good at it, some are professionals like Dr Bachan-Moll.”
Agostini said whenever members of their club meet, there was a learning component where they shared their knowledge and it was enjoyable to be among friends who shared their passion.
She said it was all about the love of gardening and it didn’t matter what their members’ professions were—whether doctor, lawyer, or handyman; all were welcome.
She said members had a dream about the book ten years ago; in 2016 they thought about bringing it to fruition and in 2017 they found out how expensive an undertaking it was to put out a book.
Agostini said Janice Potter, the club’s secretary, Jennifer Knaggs, club treasurer also worked with Bachan-Moll and her on compiling the book.
Agostini said the book, the first of a kind in T&T, almost didn’t happen, First Citizens part sponsored the book’s publication and the club was grateful to the bank for the donation. She said people were pleasantly surprised that such a high-quality book produced locally can hold its own with foreign publications.
Bachan-Moll, a past president of the garden club said all gardeners can use the book, and appealed to amateurs and professionals alike. She said a unique feature of the book was that it combined education with the joy of gardening.
There is a high number of gardeners in T&T and people take pride in their gardens, she said. She added that there was a tremendous tradition of gardening in the country and people were proud of sharing their love and passion for their pastime and hobby.
Our Style is dedicated to Alexander “Sandy” Gibson, a local orchid expert and enthusiast who died two years ago and he embodied the spirit of the club.
The book is available at RIK, Paper Based, Yardie Garden Centre, Hibiscus Garden Centre , Moyogi Garden Centre Maison Jardin, Rainy Days and San Antonio Farms.