South Africa’s garden at the Chelsea Flower Show has won gold and best in show.
Speaking to CapeTalk’s John Maytham, team leader Leon Kluge said the award came as a surprise.
“It’s a very, very happy day for us here,” Kluge said.
“We got gold early this morning when we arrived and then we got the big surprise later when they announced that we are best on show.”
Kluge said he did not expect the top award because of the strong competition at the show.
“There are some incredible gardens and displays here,” he said.
The South African exhibit’s theme was `Life after fire’.
The garden included burnt Protea skeletons, charred wood and a flowing stream.
Kluge said the display appealed to visitors on multiple levels.
“You also have smell,” he said.
“The charred wood that we used in the display gave you that burnt feeling even before you reach the garden.”
Some of the burnt wood came from farms damaged in last year’s fires in the Western Cape.
Kluge said the team wanted to show the regeneration process that follows fire.
“The one side of the garden is two months after the burn,” he said.
“All the bulbs and orchids and annuals are popping up.”
He explained that fire plays a critical role in the Fynbos life cycle.
“It’s a very delicate balance that’s been going on for hundreds of thousands of years,” Kluge said.
He praised the large team behind the project.
“There’s no way I can do it on my own,” he said.
“It takes an army to do this.”
Kluge said this year’s biggest challenge was logistics.
Heavy rain in the Western Cape nearly prevented flower growers from harvesting blooms for the display.
“At some point it was touch and go whether we can come to London or not,” he said.
Farmers eventually found a short weather window to pick and dry the flowers before shipping them to the UK.
The team also faced flight disruptions while transporting the display through Dubai.
“Logistics this year was tricky, but we managed to get it here,” Kluge said.
He confirmed the award-winning garden will be recreated in Stanford in the Western Cape later this year.
“It’s already confirmed,” he said.
The exhibition will run from 12 September to Heritage Day on 24 September.
Kluge also revealed that members of the royal family were there.
“Princess Anne came to our stand,” he said.
Former footballer David Beckham also attended the flower show this year.
Kluge said the team remained focused on sharing the South African story with visitors.
To listen to the full interview, click the media player above.
Vicky Stark
www.ewn.co.za