On a sun-drenched afternoon near Carlson Field, central Trinidad, the members of our treasured Garden Club gathered at the enticing and lush surroundings of Centrascape Garden Center for what was anticipated by most to be a purely horticultural escape.

We arrived with thoughts of soil and seedlings, but as we were all recently affected by an online hacker the day blossomed into a much fuller experience, intertwining the cultivation of our gardens with the protection of our digital selves. It was a meeting where the earth and the ether found unexpected common ground.

A short but perspicuous lecture on online security from Jennelle de Gale was delivered with the skill of a well seasoned digital educator. The tranquil atmosphere of the nursery was momentarily replaced by a collective state of alert as she addressed the recent hacking of the club’s WhatsApp group. Surrounded by potted palms and variegated alocasias, we were schooled in the gritty reality of strong passwords and where not to store them. Jenn’s talk was a necessary and eye-opening reminder that our cherished community—a space for sharing plant and design photographs, as well as gardening tips—is as vulnerable as any other to digital pests. As Jenn said, much like we protect our gardens from invasive species, we must actively defend our virtual gateways. Once the digital defense plan was securely drawn, the focus shifted back to the natural world with a truly informative presentation from Jean-Claude Roberts.

Jean-Claude introduced many of us to the sculptural beauty of the Strelitzia family. With the passion of a true plantsman, he guided us through the genus, from the iconic, orange-and-blue Strelitzia reginae, known affectionately as the Bird of Paradise or Crane Flower, to the towering, white-flowered (but with a dark blue tongue or spathe) Strelitzia nicolai, the Giant White Bird, which can reach the height of a tree. His talk was informative in the deepest sense; it was not just a list of facts, but a masterclass in how to see the plant. He explained its flower’s clever pollination mechanism, its bold, banana-like leaves, and how its structural form can anchor an entire tropical landscape design, insisting it be given room to shine as a solitary architectural statement.

We departed with a renewed sense of vigilance, ready to safeguard our digital club with the tenacity of a gardener for all seasons. Simultaneously, our minds were filled with Jean-Claude’s vision of the regal Strelitzia, a plant that demands space and commands attention. The visit was a poignant lesson that growth, whether of a community or a garden, requires both protecting what we have and boldly planting something magnificent for the future.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr and Mrs Beharry and to all the amicable and attentive staff of beautiful Centrascape.

Our next meeting is the AGM at the home of Marion D’Almada on Saturday 27th June at 3:30pm. The show bench is Calatheas, Stromanthe and Marantas.