SA blooms to gold in London

South Africa has once again claimed gold for its two-oceans-inspired floral garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, and this time, making history with a landmark achievement.

The country’s 2025 exhibit, designed by renowned horticulturist Leon Kluge, Tristan Woudberg, and their larger team, not only earned a coveted gold medal but also took home the Lawrence Medal – awarded to the best floral exhibit across all RHS shows for the year – a first for South Africa.

Leon Kluge (left) with his winning team at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Source: Kay Montgomery

This marks South Africa’s 39th medal at the world’s most prestigious flower show over a span of four decades. The win follows last year’s triumphant return to the show after a hiatus.

The display was inspired by South Africa’s two oceans, the Indian and Atlantic, which have given rise to a multitude of habitats from the fynbos in of the Cape to the more subtropical greenery of KwaZulu-Natal

The team harvested and transported approximately 25 000 locally grown stems across continents.