Latest news with #LawrenceMedal
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Take a look: SA's Cape Floral Kingdom wins Chelsea Gold
There are flower shows, and then there's the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - the crown jewel of British horticultural society, complete with all the bells, whistles and fascinators to make it blooming brilliant. It's such a spectacle, with the show previously ranking as one of the world's top travel experiences - and it makes South Africa's top RHS honours this year all the more meaningful as it puts one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet firmly in the global spotlight. To date, South Africa has won a total of 39 gold medals at this long-standing event. Acclaimed horticulturist Leon Kluge, whose design also won gold last year, states this year's winning display was the biggest yet, 'with up to 25,000 stems of fynbos cut flowers'. RHS President Keith Weed CBE presented Kluge and his team the Lawrence Medal, awarded to the best floral exhibit over all the RHS shows throughout the calendar year - and the first time South Africa has received this award. 'Inspired by South Africa's two mighty oceans, the Indian and Atlantic, which have given rise to a multitude of habitats from the fynbos of the Cape to the more subtropical lushness of KZN,' adds Kluge. Kluge also praised the 'generous support' of the display's sponsors, including the farmers and farmworkers who helped bring it to life and the Grootbos Foundation, Hazendal Wine Estate, and Southern Sun. 'We celebrate this Gold together, and may it encourage us to protect and conserve our beautiful natural heritage!' The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is on until Sunday, 24 May. Needless to say, you'll find a swathe of more amazing garden designs and gorgeous floral displays. See all the 2025 winners here. Guests can also indulge in exclusive shopping at the event, which includes a piece of the Karoo inspired by the Cape Winelands' very own Babylonstoren, which is exhibiting at the event for the first time.
Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Kerry gardener wins gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show
A gardener from Co Kerry has won his third gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Billy Alexander, of Kells Bay Gardens, claimed the prestigious prize for his fern collection. The 120sq m garden features more than 100 species of ferns. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Alexander said Brexit meant the logisitics proved difficult. 'We loaded up the 40ft trailer 10 days ago in Kells Bay Gardens and drove it straight over to London, arriving 48 hours later. 'And when we got all the ferns out of the 40ft in fairly good health, we knew we were looking good.' The London-based flower show awards gardens with four medals: Gold, Silver-Gilt, Silver, and Bronze. The Royal Horticultural Society, which runs the flower show, says the medals have "long been considered a hallmark in horticultural excellence, providing educational and inspirational value for visitors, the public and the horticultural industry". It is the third time Mr Alexander has won the prize, having previously received the gold medal in 2021 and 2023. In 2023, he claimed the Lawrence Medal, which is awarded for the best exhibit shown to the society during the year. Mr Alexander and his wife, Penn, own Kells Bay House and Gardens, which overlooks Dingle Bay on the Ring of Kerry. Read More Councillors call for more parking and better amenities at Kerry's beaches
The Journal
20-05-2025
- The Journal
Irish gardener wins third gold medal at Chelsea Flower Show
A COUNTY KERRY horticulturist has won his third gold medal at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in London. Billy Alexander, the owner of Kells Bay Gardens, was this morning awarded a gold medal by the judging panel at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show for his fern collection. 'Wilde Kells Bay Gardens' is Alexander's most ambitious display yet in terms of scale, at 120 metres and featuring over 100 species of ferns. The Chelsea Flower Show takes place from today until Saturday 24 May. Alexander said he was 'speechless' and is 'over the moon to have received another gold medal this morning'. He said today's gold medal is the 'culmination of 24 months of planning, cultivating and working with my incredible team and partners to get to this moment'. 'It takes a huge amount of work to protect the plants, get them looking their best and to transport them safely all the way from Cahersiveen to Chelsea,' said Alexander. 'But it is worth every minute. I'm delighted to be able to share my passion with others and want to extend my gratitude to the RHS and its judges for this acknowledgement'. Advertisement Wilde Kells Bay Gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show As one of the oldest family of plant species in the world, ferns thrive in the naturally temperate microclimate of Kells Bay Gardens, situated on the Ring of Kerry. But Alexander complemented this with rare and exotic fern species from New Zealand, Australia, Juan Fernandez Islands, Vietnam, Chile and Japan to name a few. Alexander said he regularly travels to exotic locations to meet with other plant experts and to seek out new specimens to add to the collection at Kells Bay. The Wilde Kells Bay Gardens fern exhibit, supported by Wilde Aparthotels, wowed judges at prestigious horticultural event which opens today This morning's gold medal caps an impressive run for Alexander at the Chelsea Flower Show. Last year, he was awarded the Lawrence Medal for his contribution to the sector, which is the highest honour awarded to an exhibitor for their display. And in 2023, Alexander secured both a Gold medal and the coveted 'Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion' award. He also received Gold medals in 2021 for his displays at the Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Garden Festival respectively. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
