SA Wins Gold at Chelsea Flower Show 2026
LEON KLUGE AND GROOTBOS BRING HOME THE GOLD TO SA AT THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2026!! AGAIN!
We are so incredibly proud of each and every one on the SA team involved in this year's exhibition. Some say this is the best SA exhibition ever, which is mind-blowing considering how the previous exhibitions brought on goosebumps!
Leon Kluge, we are so incredibly humbled and proud of this incredible achievement. Your magic brought tears of wonder and pride. Truly a creation of love.
This year's display, ‘LIFE AFTER FIRE’ showcased the diversity of South African flowers that appear after wildfires in the Cape region. Up to 20,000 stems of Protea cut flowers as well as thousands of burnt Protea branches, were arranged to create a post-fire landscape where bulbs and orchids from all regions of South Africa were on display. Artist Tristan Woudberg led a team to assemble a sculptural vortex of burnt material, including charred wood and burnt branches sourced from the remnants of the devastating fires which tore through the mountainous areas of the Western Cape last year. ‘Life After Fire’ is one of South Africa's biggest displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and features a babbling ‘fonteintjie’ or natural stream complete with Disa orchids and carnivorous sundew plants. Other unique plants on display included the miniature star-like flowers of Rhodohypoxis, which hail from the high elevations of the Drakensberg.
IT'S A DOUBLE WIN - the SA team will also bring home the coveted 'Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion'. This prestigious additional Gold Award endorses all the hard work and dedication that the team delivered. What an incredible achievement!
South African Team: Leon Kluge, Tristan Woudberg, Jenny Malcolm, Marinda Nel, Lucas Maninjwa, Rebecca Dames, Yuko Nagamura, Tanya Visser, Marinda Nel, Vincent Kühn, Hennie Nel, Izolda Visser,
Muhammed Adamjee, Jeanne Farle, and Sven Musica.
We agree with Colleen Ingram's comment: "This is the story of our people told through the resilience of her mountains. I get chills at your exquisite interpretation of rejuvenation after devastation, and your hard work exemplifies the vision. Bravo Leon & Team SA! Bravo🇿🇦".
We can't wait for you to visit Stanford in the Overstrand, Western Cape, from 12 TO 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 for the STANFORD IN BLOOM and Chelsea Flowers in Stanford Event.
Congratulations to all involved, and especially to our own GROOTBOS from Gansbaai, who have supported Leon Kluge in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show journey. We are incredibly proud of this wonderful achievement!
IMAGE CREDITS: Leon Kluge
