There is an oasis in the middle of New Kingston - The Jamaica Pegasus gardens. A mix of hardy shrubs, lignum vitae, tropical plants and fruit trees dot the entire circumference of the 35-year-old hotel in the heart of the city. Stephen Jones of Barbican Gardens is responsible for the creation, of which General Manager Eldon Bremner and Director of Sales and Marketing Prudence Simpson are proud.

"I admire it and look out at it every day," notes Bremner.

"We are very proud of it," echoes Simpson over the gush of the fountain in the pool that drowns out the traffic of the business district.

Jogging path

With more than 30 years' experience in horticulture, Jones knows exactly how important it is to have the right plants at the right place. Their quarter-mile jogging path takes runners through the ginger lilies, hibiscuses, duranta, yucca, red fountain grass, ixora and a variety of palms.

From every angle in the hotel, guests have fabulously landscaped green areas on which to feast their eyes. "Every area has a character," noted Jones as he pointed out the differences between the landscaping in various areas. To the left of the hotel's extremely spacious car park (which is also beautifully landscaped) is a green area for the hotel's 20th anniversary, where each staff member who has been with the hotel from the beginning planted a coconut tree.

Perfect location

The garden, which overlooks the pool area, is the perfect location for weddings, teas, fashion shows and, of course, cocktails.

As Lifestyle departed the hotel, passing the fallen poui petals covering the ground in a colourful carpet, and re-entered the bustling traffic on Knutsford Boulevard, it was hard to believe that such a tropical paradise existed in the middle of the city.

nashauna.drummond@gleanerjm.com

Yellow shrimp is one of the flowers strategically planted by the dining room so guests will be able to observe the humming birds as they feed on nectar.

General manager of the Pegasus, Eldon Bremner, and Prudence Simpson, director of sales and marketing, walk the grounds of the Gardens of Pegasus.

Ornamental banana is beautiful to look at but is not for eating.