Chelsea Flower Show

The prestigious Chelsea Flower Show inspires plant-lovers around the world, showcasing the best in garden design. At this year’s event, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) team at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) won South Africa’s 35th gold medal in 42 years.

And, in an additional accolade for the team, the display was also awarded the prestigious President’s Award. ‘The waiting is so difficult but this makes all the hard work worthwhile. We are so proud to be receiving another gold medal as well as the President’s Award for South Africa. It is just fantastic!’ says Lihle Dlamini, SANBI’s Director of Marketing and Communication, who forms part of the team.

With its theme ‘Windows on Biodiversity’, the circular exhibit, with its stunning backdrop of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, is a rich and varied voyage of discovery.

On display are plants that represent all ten of South Africa’s National Botanical Gardens: Free State, Hantam, Harold Porter, Karoo Desert, Kirstenbosch, Kwelera, Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria and Walter Sisulu. ‘The richness of our biodiversity is one of South Africa’s greatest natural assets,’ said Dr Tanya Abrahamse, SANBI CEO. ‘South Africa is home to nearly 10% of the world’s plants and contains three regions that have been declared global biodiversity hotspots, so it is fitting that we celebrate this heritage this year at Chelsea.’

The SANBI stand is one of the ‘must-see’ attractions of the Chelsea Flower Show, drawing over 150 000 visitors to the grounds of the Royal Hospital over the five days of the event.

For more information visit rhs.org.uk.

City Living – Designer Kate Gould

Great Pavilion – Kirstenbosch

Royal Bank of Canada Garden – Designer Charlotte Harris

Silk Road Garden, Chengdu, China – Designer Laurie Chetwood and Patrick Collins

The Chris Evans Taste Garden – Designer Jon Wheatley

The Poetry Lover’s Garden – Designer Fiona Cadwallader

The RHS Greening Grey Britain Garden – Designer Nigel Dunnett

Featured image

Gosho No Niwa No Wall, No War – Designer Kazuyuki Ishihara Photography

Courtesy of RHS Chelsea Flower Show