SA awarded silver at Chelsea Flower Show

BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL: South Africa's exhibition was awarded a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London yesterday. Photo: Kay Montgomery

BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL: South Africa's exhibition was awarded a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London yesterday. Photo: Kay Montgomery

Published May 20, 2015

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Staff Writer

THE South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI-Kirstenbosch) team has been awarded a Silver Gilt for its 40th exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in London yesterday.

The annual event runs from May 19 to 23.

Jessica Miller, of Hippo Communications, speaking on behalf of SANBI-Kirstenbosch, said there were “tense moments” when it seemed like the stand would not be completed in the allotted time.

“On Sunday morning, with hours to go before the cut-off time, only part of the consignment had been released from customs, and then not the feature plants. It was a story of camaraderie once it became clear that the whole consignment was not going to get there,” she said.

She said Johannesburg landscapers Jo Lankester and Jenny Badenhorst walked around at the show to see who had the appropriate plants and, with “warmth and generosity”, other exhibitors rallied, offering whatever was required to fill the gaps.

Plants were donated from Kientzler, in Germany, and other contributions came from Prince Harry’s Lesotho garden. Australia donated proteas, aloes, polygala and the use of a forklift, while France contributed juncea and grasses.

Designer David Davidson said: “It was a race against time. We advised the judges of our predicament and these factors were taken into account when judging.”

Chatsworth Garden, from the UK, was voted Best Show Garden and awarded a gold medal.

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