South Africa Wins Gold At The Chelsea Flower Show

28 May

General

South Africa Wins Gold At The Chelsea Flower Show

South Africa stole the show at this year's Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show when won a Gold medal with perfect scores from the RHS judges. The team was also awarded "Best Exhibit in the Pavilion"  and the "Best New Design" award. This is unprecedented for South Africa at the Chelsea Flower Show. 

The exhibit was made possible through the dedicated work of landscape designer Leon Kluge and artist Tristan Woudberg, with vital support from our own Michael Lutzeyer and contributions from Grootbos and other private sector partners.

A Gold Medal Winning Design

Described as one of the most outstanding exhibits in the history of the Great Pavillion, this year's design was inspired by the windswept slopes of the Cape Mountains. Head designer Leon led a group of volunteers to create the multi-award display which included large clay sculptures which formed the backdrop for a spectacular display of fynbos cut flowers. Grootbos Florilegium artist Chris Lochner and Bulelani Bashe from our Green Futures nursery team were also there to assist. 

Designed to celebrate the beauty and significance of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, the display presented many species of fynbos that included high-altitude and coastal variants.

An unprecedented 22,000 stems were used in the display to create a proudly South African explosion of fynbos. This year, a special effort was made to include rarely seen hybrids such as the fan favourite protea "Snow Leopard". It also featured seldom seen species such as the pendulous Protea sulphurea and the delicate blushing brides, Serruria florida.
 

Using natural clay to form the sculpture, artist Tristan Woudberg explains, "Large panels weave through the display creating an earthy backdrop for our vibrant flora to take centre stage. The sculptures take on the role of mountain ranges, dividing and isolating the different biomes of the Cape, which have given rise to our unique flora over time.

The natural cracking effect provided by the clay is a reminder of the contrasting wet and dry seasons of the fynbos biome as well as the fragility of these ecosystems. The negative spaces in these sheets of rock act as windows, creating new vistas to explore as one moves around the exhibit."

A Spectacular Return Thanks to The New Sponsors

After a four-year hiatus after the sponsor of three decades (1989 – 2019) withdrew their support, Grootbos along with others from the private sector stepped forward to ensure South Africa's flora was once again represented at the world's premier flower show. 

The team, led by Leon Kluge, Michael Lutzeyer, Keith Kirsten and Marinda New, came together to realise South Africa's return to the iconic flower show.

Contributions from Grootbos were centred on conservation and community upliftment. Keith Kirsten brought his wealth of international experience and expertise to the project, not to mention his involvement in the South African exhibit for many decades at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The team also showcased the Grootbos Florilegium, our collection of botanical illustrations depicting rare plants in the Grootbos Nature Reserve. 

At Grootbos, celebrating our natural heritage is at the core of our mission. Having this talented team showcase it so perfectly to the world fills us with immense pride.