I’m a bit obsessed with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. At the end of May, I get my granny garden gloves on, prep a cup of strawberry tea, switch on the BBC coverage of the show, and get lost in the astonishing gardens the exhibitors conjure up in a matter of days. It’s utterly magical.
For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the Olympics for flowers. It’s held in Chelsea, London, in spring, and flower fanatics and exhibitors from all over the world and the British royal family (from their biscuit-producing, West Country organic Duchy estates) flock to its pavilion and garden paths. They don’t kid around – the gardens planted feature tall trees, bridges, Tuscan terraces, open kitchens, fountains, waterfalls, artistic pavilions, and rare specimens from all corners of the planet.
And this year, South Africa won the equivalent of an Olympic gold medal… or three. Leon Kluge (horticulturist, floral artist, and basically SA’s version of a plant David Attenborough) and his team were awarded the prestigious ‘Gold Medal’ plus ‘Best New Design’ and ‘Best Exhibit in the Pavilion’ for their protea garden masterpiece. I won’t try describing it because only viewing the videos will do it justice. But I will mention it included proteas that smelled (naturally) like cookie dough (they attract mice that pollinate it by feasting on its toffee-like nectar – oh, to be mouse napping in sweet, red protea petals).
It’s a fantastic win not only for SA horticulturists but also for SA tourism, as it showcases our fynbos in all its magnificence, attracting international anthophiles like mice to cookie-dough proteas.
This week when we go to cast our vote in the elections, this incredible protea garden will hopefully serve as a reminder that the grass is not always greener on the other side. That if we tend to our gardens, we can do great things together, even when loadshedding shuts off the sprinklers for a week (a Champagne problem but also a metaphor).
P.S. Did you know that Babylonstoren, another SA garden champion and wine farm, produces the official RHS Chelsea Show rosé wine? The Mourvèdre Rosé has delicious hints of raspberries, pomegranate, watermelon, and rose petals and is available here.
P.P.S. If you want to see another garden Leon Kluge has created, head to Sterrekopje in Franschhoek. A stay costs approximately the same as flying to London to see the RHS Chelsea Show, but maybe they’ll let you peek over the fence.
Mindful Musings
What the world was musing over this past week
Pet Gala 2024
Move over Met Gala movie stars. These pooches are stealing the show.
Pooch-approved flights
Thursday saw BARK Air’s first flight take off. This new luxury US airline for dogs offers a ‘white paw experience’, with treats, cabin seats, and earmuffs for its canine high flyers (and owners).
Visa win
South Africa’s new remote working visa has finally been signed off by Home Affairs.
MIA Poster
Where are all the ANC election campaign posters?
