After a long time away, South Africa made a magnificent return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, claiming gold!
London, United Kingdom (21 May 2024) — South Africa’s flora made a golden return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London after a lengthy hiatus where our blooms were sorely missed.
Claiming gold for the flora display was a dazzling occasion for acclaimed horticulturist and floral artist Leon Kluge, who led South Africa’s return to the floral stage after a private sector-led team made sure South Africa would not miss out on another year of participation and evidently, another year to win.
South Africa’s history with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a legendary one in the world of flowers, with our country having earned 37 medals over 43 years, plus the recent gold we claimed.
This year’s display embodied a slice of the mountains; offering a marriage between our country’s natural beauty and the artist’s eye thanks to Leon and artist Tristan Woudberg along with a group of volunteers who helped bring the winning display to life.
A showcase of the Cape’s floral wonders and a multitude of species (22 000 stems were used) the display united a duality between the region’s dry and wet seasons, using clay to emulate the cracked earth while fynbos and protea cuts flourish. From high-altitude fynbos to the strandveld brimming with bulbs that hug the coastlines; not only is it a fabulous representation of the biodiversity of South Africa (there are even Trailing Protea, which mice help pollinate and the rare Protea Snow Leopard), but it is also a gorgeous visual feast fit for royalty curated with unique flora.
Beyond the perfect scores from the RHS judges, South Africa was awarded “Best exhibit in the Pavillion as well as the “Best New Design” award. This is unprecedented for South Africa at the Chelsea Flower show!
Conservationist Michael Lutzeyer, horticultural specialist Keith Kirsten, and Marinda Nel (who has a background in business development) as well as a transformative contribution from the Rupert Nature Foundation as well as Grootbos Private nature reserve all played a big part in the team effort to bring the floral gold back to South Africa.
Contributions from the private sector helped provide the financial support needed to create the display in London, and thanks to all of them, we have one more reason to be proud and many more to conserve the future of our country’s natural heritage.
Cape Flora SA, a non-profit established in 2005, offers their support this year and remains steadfast in its commitment to the sustainable harvesting and growth of the fynbos industry. The display promotes the demand for high-quality fynbos cut flowers in international markets, providing livelihoods for stakeholders and communities within the South African fynbos industry.
Sources: Various (Linked Above); Media Release
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