South Africa has won its 35th gold medal and the prestigious President’s Award at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) team’s circular exhibit with its stunning backdrop of the 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 10 of South Africa’s national botanical gardens.
Designers David Davidson, Ray Hudson, the SANBI team, staff and volunteers had been on tenterhooks from Sunday night, when all the finishing touches to the exhibit were complete and it was ready for judging and a visit by Queen Elizabeth who tours the exhibits after the judges have made their decision.
SANBI’s director of marketing and communication Lihle Dlamini said: “We are so proud to be receiving another gold medal as well as the President’s Award for South Africa. It is just fantastic”
Davidson and Hudson said the win was a team effort.
The SANBI stand is one of the “must-see” attractions of the Chelsea Flower Show, drawing many of the more than 150 000 visitors to the grounds of the Royal Hospital over the five days of the event.
“Our exhibit provides a snapshot to the country’s botanical heritage and many people decide to visit our country after seeing what we have on offer here,” Dlamini said.
SANBI chief executive Dr Tanya Abrahamse said: “The richness of South Africa's biodiversity is one of our greatest natural assets so it is fitting that we celebrate this heritage this year at Chelsea.”