Chelsea Flowers in Stanford: Life After Fire Comes Home
From 12 to 27 September 2026, Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will give visitors the chance to see Life After Fire, the gold-award-winning South African display from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, right here in the Overberg.
The exhibition forms part of the Stanford in Bloom spring festival, celebrating flowers, art, local food, music, gardening and plenty of opportunities for the community to enjoy the village at this special time of year.
A Story of Fire, Recovery and Fynbos
Life After Fire tells a story that is particularly close to home following the devastating Overberg wildfires of 2025/26.
The exhibit recreates a landscape after it has been razed by fire, showing how fynbos can recover and begin again. Burnt protea branches, flowering bulbs, indigenous orchids, and colourful plants come together around flowing water, creating a scene that moves from destruction towards renewal.
At the centre of it all is a striking sculptural vortex made from charred wood and burnt branches collected from areas affected by the inferno. Around it, visitors will find Disa orchids, carnivorous sundews and other indigenous plants.
Around 20,000 cut protea stems and thousands of burnt branches were used to create the display.
It is a wonderful reminder that fire, although destructive, is also an important part of the natural cycle of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Bringing Chelsea to Stanford
The display was created by acclaimed landscape designer Leon Kluge and creative artist gardener Tristan Woudberg, who once again led Team South Africa to success at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
This year’s achievement at the historic show included a Gold Medal and Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion.
Now, instead of travelling all the way to London to see the display, visitors can experience it on home soil.
There will also be opportunities to meet the people behind the project and hear more about how Life After Fire came together. Leon Kluge and Tristan Woudberg will present talks covering everything from the first ideas in South Africa to the challenges of creating and installing the garden in London.
Flowers, Art and Local Stories
Chelsea Flowers in Stanford is also about celebrating the people and organisations working to protect the region's natural heritage.
The Grootbos Florilegium will present an exhibition of botanical artworks celebrating the plants of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The artworks also feature some of the birds and insects that share these habitats, giving visitors a glimpse into the wider ecosystem.
Representatives from the Grootbos Foundation will be there to share stories about the plants, wildlife and conservation work taking place in the region. A selection of original artworks and Florilegium books will also be available to buy.
Funds raised through Chelsea Flowers in Stanford will go towards the Grootbos Foundation, supporting its conservation and community work.
A Spring Festival for the Whole Community
As part of the Stanford in Bloom festival, the Village Green will host a tented market with local crafters and producers, food stalls, live music and performances. There will also be a pop-up fynbos plant nursery, gardening and creative workshops, and a Klein River Cheese demonstration kitchen.
So whether you are planning to see the award-winning display, browse the market, listen to music, learn something new or simply spend a spring day in Stanford, there will be plenty to enjoy for the whole family.
Tickets for Chelsea Flowers in Stanford and Chelsea Talks can be bought on Webtickets, at Pick n Pay, or at the door:
• Flower Show - R250 per person (children under 12 / free entry)
• Talks - R100 per person
Read more about the flower show on Xplorio.
