Fatshimetrie, the flagship of digital news, recently covered the exhibition of South African fynbos at the Chelsea Flower Show 2021. This event was much more than just an exhibition of exotic flowers, it was a vibrant celebration of the floral and cultural wealth of South Africa.
The team in charge of this exhibition felt invested with a real mission: to share the beauty and diversity of South African flora with the rest of the world. After a four-year hiatus, South Africa made a triumphant return to the Chelsea Flower Show, winning not only a gold medal with perfect scores from the judges, but also the title of best exhibit in the pavilion, as well as the award for best new design. An exceptional success that stole the show.
This year’s exhibition was inspired by the majestic Cape Mountains, particularly the Cape Fold Belt, a series of mountain ranges stretching 850km along the coast. The Cape Mountains, formed billions of years ago when the Falklands Plate collided with the African Plate, provided a natural backdrop to the vibrant flora in the exhibition.
Marinda Nel, project manager of the award-winning floral display, highlighted that this display represents a world heritage site for biodiversity and a symbol of South African pride for the country’s unique flora. From high altitude fynbos to bulbs and geophytes along the coast, it’s a celebration of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Beyond its botanical richness, the Cape Floral Region is home to a variety of animals, including many endemic species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. This ecological diversity and complexity has earned the region international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the planet’s biodiversity hotspots.
The pride of being South African and sharing the unique beauty of fynbos with the rest of the world shines through in Nel’s words. She worked with international floral artist Leon Kluge to create a proudly South African explosion of fynbos. More than 22,000 stems were used for the exhibition, highlighting rare hybrids and little-known species such as the ‘Snow Leopard’ Protea and the Hanging Protea sulphurea.
Despite the withdrawal of support from South Africa’s National Biodiversity Institute, a private sector team has ensured the presence of South African flora at the Chelsea Flower Show. It is thanks to generous sponsors and dedicated people that this exhibition was possible.
Since 1976, South Africa has participated in the Chelsea Flower Show, winning a total of 37 gold medals. This achievement is a testament to the commitment and exceptional talent of the South African horticultural industry.
In conclusion, the display of South African fynbos at the Chelsea Flower Show 2021 was much more than just a display of flowers. It was a vivid reflection of the richness of South African flora and culture, a celebration of biodiversity and national pride.