Cape Town - Kirstenbosch has won another gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, making it the 33rd gold medal.
This is Kirstenbosch’s centenary year and its display at the Royal Horticultural Show was under the theme “100 Blooming Years”.
Acclaimed for its layout and clever depiction of Table Mountain the exhibit also showcased the Western Cape’s unique plants and natural heritage.
Designers David Davidson and Ray Hudson have been the masterminds behind the exhibits over the past 20 years, and created a circular, walk-through exhibit.
One half featured the garden’s Dell and cycad amphitheatre, while the other displayed the protea garden against a mountain backdrop.
Davidson and Hudson said winning gold in what was a centenary year for both Kirstenbosch and Chelsea was a huge accolade for them.
“The medal is a highlight of our Chelsea experience and a reward for the hard-working team.
“This exhibit shows the world the importance we put on our natural heritage and history and Kirstenbosch’s ‘coming-of-age’ gives the traveller yet another reason to visit South Africa and come into our garden,” said Davidson.
The exhibit will be recreated at the V&A Waterfront in August and will be displayed at Garden World in Joburg in July and possibly also in Durban in June. - Cape Argus
* The Kirstensbosch display was in the Great Pavilion, where top nurseries “show a diverse range of plants suitable for all conditions”. It was among a group of 62 nurseries which were awarded gold medals. - IOL (source: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013).
* The Independent reports that an Australian team won the best show garden prize at Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in the event's 100-year history.
One of the team's members, Tim Wilkinson, celebrating by stripping off to his underwear and going for an impromptu swim in a billabong within the garden.
The Trailfinders Australian Garden, by Fleming's Nurseries of Melbourne, features plants native to the country and demonstrates sustainable landscaping in an urban setting. It was also awarded a gold medal, winning praise from the Royal Horticultural Society for its attention to detail.