South Africa’s exhibit at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show has once again captured international attention, winning both a gold medal and the coveted Best in Show award for its striking “Life after Fire” display.

The garden, created by a team led by renowned horticulturist Leon Kluge, celebrates the resilience and regeneration of the country’s unique Fynbos biome after devastating wildfires.

In a video recorded shortly after the medal announcement, Kluge described the journey to the show as “a roller coaster”.

“We had so many floods in South Africa, lots of rain, snow on the farms where we needed to harvest all of these flowers, and at some point we didn’t know whether we were actually going to get to Chelsea,” he said.

But when the team arrived at the Grand Pavilion on Tuesday morning, they were met with the news they had hoped for.

“It’s a gold medal,” one team member announced in the video, sparking celebrations among the South African delegation.

Kluge said the display was about far more than flowers.

“It is a celebration of our flowers in South Africa. It’s a celebration of our fire-driven ecosystem, which is so special.”

The exhibit features burnt Protea skeletons, charred wood and streams flowing through emerging plant life, symbolising the natural recovery process after fire. Some of the burnt wood used in the display came from farms damaged during last year’s fires in the Western Cape.

Kluge explained that the installation aimed to educate international audiences about the importance of preserving South Africa’s biodiversity.

“It’s showing people how important it is to maintain our flora, to have a healthy ecosystem,” he said.

The project required weeks of planning and construction, with Kluge praising the many growers, sponsors and partners who helped bring the exhibit to life despite difficult conditions.

“It’s a very special moment for all of us here at the show. The reward speaks for itself.”

Kluge dedicated the win to South Africans and the country’s rich floral heritage.

“This one is for South Africa. It’s for all our flowers.”

The award-winning display will be recreated in Stanford from 12 to 24 September.