Chelsea Flower Show: Kirstenbosch scoops Silver-Gilt despite setbacks

Yesterday the Kirstenbosch exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show looked as if it was in trouble with their plants and flowers held by customs.

In true “Boer maak ‘n plan” fashion, this incredible team has pulled it together and managed to scoop a Silver-Gilt medal. This is an achievement on its own given a vast number of their plants are still being held in customs and were not able to be exhibited.

Ray Hudson the co-designer of the award-winning garden shared his thoughts about this very dramatic show.

Had the plants not been held in cells by customs, there is no doubt there would have been a 34th Gold medal for Kirstenbosch, explained Hudson.

All of the aloes and the euphorias are still being held, while the proteas and other plants were released early on Sunday morning. Given these plants are classed as rare and endangered species, they are classed under the same conventions as those used to govern rhino horns.

“It seems a small clerical error in the naming of the plants has caused this error… the Chelsea Flower Show audiences are missing out.”

At one stage over the weekend the entire entry to the Chelsea Flower Show was put into question given the vast majority of Kirstenbosch exhibit was not on site.

At that point the true spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show family came to the fore. Sentebale and several other gardens gave Kirstenbosch a number of aloes and grasses for Kirstenbosch to use and several people from other gardens volunteered and helped build their garden through the night for the Monday morning deadline.

These simple acts of kindness helped bring the vision of the Kirstenbosch exhibit to life. A true spirit of Ubuntu towards an exhibitor in need revealed the true meaning of competition and respect.

Also see: Chelsea Flower Show 2015 kicks off