Getting set for the Chelsea Flower Show

A RARE and beautiful protea called Orothamnus zeyheri, also known as the marsh rose, will be among the key features of this year’s South African exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

The exhibit will be a celebration of our biodiversity and the country’s 40th year of participation at the world-renowned event.

Yesterday, the plants to be displayed were packed up from the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for their journey to London to be displayed at the world’s most prestige flower show, held at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea from May 19 to 23.

The South African delegation will attempt to win their 34th gold medal at the show.

“This is the 40th year we will have an exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show. This year we will celebrate 40 years with a retrospective exhibit,” said Kirstenbosch events manager Sarah Struy.

She said this would include the indigenous flower species that South Africa had given the world as well a celebration of past exhibits.

Exhibits designer David Davidson said there were a few interesting plants to look out for.

These included the Orothamnus zeyheri.

The species, which has been on the endangered list for many years and had now been removed as a result of successful cultivation, will be going to Chelsea for the first time in a long while, he said.

“They were grown by Arnelia Farms in Hopefield. There will also be a nice selection of other protea cultivars and hybrids.”