Latest news with #TheNewt
Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Chelsea Flower Show 2025 review: come on guys, where's the excitement?
The signature plant of the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 will be the Aloidendron dichotomum, known as the quiver tree, a massive candelabrum-like succulent planted en masse and standing tall against the sky, on the stand from the Newt in Somerset, the show's main sponsor. In fact the entire event is a dichotomy — outside all is quietly discreet and probably forgettable, but in the marquee is so much that is African and dazzling. Marquee first then. Cape Flora of South Africa is showing a veritable mountain of fabulous flowers — proteas and Leucospermums by the thousand are pierced by a watery cave of Cape primroses. Nurseries have followed suit: Gardeners Delight is offering an agapanthus called 'Zambezi', which is on the shortlist for plant
The South African
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
South Africa's botanical excellence in bloom at Chelsea Flower Show 2025
South Africa's rich botanical heritage is captivating audiences at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show in London, with two standout exhibits celebrating the nation's unique flora and design prowess. Renowned horticulturist Leon Kluge has unveiled a breathtaking garden titled Living Oceans , drawing inspiration from the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans along South Africa's coast. This exhibit showcases the diverse plant life influenced by these two oceans, featuring a canyon of tannin-rich water cutting through a mountain of fynbos. The Atlantic side displays the vibrant geophytes and bright flowers of the drier West Coast, while the Indian Ocean side boasts lush sub-tropical plants. Woven sculptural pieces interspersed throughout the garden celebrate South Africa as the 'flower basket of Africa,' blending cultural artistry with botanical beauty. In its final year as the event's headline sponsor, The Newt in Somerset presents the Karoo Succulent Garden , a striking homage to South Africa's semi-desert Karoo region. Designed by estate architect Katie Lewis, the 45m x 15m garden features six biomes constructed with sandstone, shale, and quartz to replicate the natural habitats of the Karoo. The exhibit includes 6 000 plants from 15 families, such as towering quiver trees, fragrant pelargoniums, and uniquely shaped succulents. This garden emphasises sustainability and water-wise gardening, resonating with global climate change concerns. Both exhibits not only highlight South Africa's botanical diversity but also underscore the country's commitment to sustainable and innovative garden design on the world stage. The 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be held from 20 to 24 May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. This year's show features 23 diverse gardens, emphasising creativity, sustainability, and community impact. Notable exhibits include gardens inspired by ecological restoration, AI-monitored urban forests, and themes supporting social causes such as women's rehabilitation and HIV awareness. Dates : 20-24 May 2025 : 20-24 May 2025 Location : Royal Hospital Chelsea, London : Royal Hospital Chelsea, London Opening times : Tuesday-Wednesday (RHS Members' Days): 08:00-20:00 Thursday-Friday: 08:00-20:00 Friday Chelsea Late: 17:30-22:00 Saturday: 08:00-17:30 : Tickets: Available for purchase on the RHS website Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Our Chelsea Flower Show regular's top tips for first-timers
This year is the 112th RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by luxury Somerset hotel the Newt for the fourth and final year. It's a spectacle, one of the most prestigious flower shows in the world that even Judi Dench clears her diary for. It takes place next week (Tuesday-Wednesday for RHS members, Thursday-Saturday for everyone else) and tickets are almost sold out. It's the Glastonbury of the garden world — with celebrities, royalty and a similar number of attendees — and some say almost as hard to get in. • Your guide to life in London: what's new in culture, food and property I've been lucky enough to attend Chelsea for the past four years, and as well as planting tips, I've picked up a
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Newt sources 6,000 plants for Chelsea Flower Show exhibit
ONE of the exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 features a Somerset connection and 6,000 rare succulent plants. The Newt in Somerset is a headline sponsor for the show, which takes place from 20 to 24 May with up to 168,000 visitors. For this year's exhibit, 6,000 rare succulent plants have been sourced from South Africa's Karoo Region by the Newt in Somerset and its sister estate, Babylonstoren. READ MORE: Monty Don prepares to unveil dog-friendly garden at Chelsea Flower Show READ MORE: Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner owns Taunton florist It's a mammoth task and a first in the show's history. But it also features a deeper underlying message about the importance of conserving drought-resistant plants in the face of climate change. Thousands of rare plants will be featured in the Newt's 45 metres by 15 metres exhibit area, showcasing the indigenous succulents in a semi-desert landscape among rock formations. The garden is divided into six distinct vignettes, including a 'quiver tree forest' on a shale hill, a collection of succulent bulbs, shimmering quartz fields dotted with small, gem-like succulents, and the famous butter bush alongside fan aloes. The Newt's proposed exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show 2025 (Image: The Newt) Visitors will learn about the relationship between varying rock types and how these waterwise succulents have adapted to thrive. The garden also explores the harsh conditions of the Karoo's micro-climate. A spokesperson for The Newt said: 'The heart of South Africa is immense and mercilessly dry and as the world faces the impact of climate change, we can learn from these small, tenacious succulents, which survive in harsh conditions.' 'Resilient, adaptable, easy to grow and good for indoor air quality, these unique specimens are an appealing choice for urban gardeners. After the show, the garden will be relocated at The Newt in Somerset.' Other exhibits at Chelsea Flower Show this year include a partnership between BBC Radio 2 and Monty Don to create a dog-friendly space. It will be Monty Don's first garden at the event.
The South African
06-05-2025
- The South African
Here's how much it costs to stay at Koos Bekker's newest masterpiece BLOU in Keurbooms
Babylonstoren has announced the opening of BLOU in Keurbooms, a new coastal escape on South Africa's picturesque Garden Route. Nestled in the unspoiled seaside village of Keurboomstrand, just outside Plettenberg Bay, BLOU is a cluster of eight reimagined fisherman's cottages situated directly on the dune line, offering front-row views of the Keurbooms shoreline. 'The ocean and the beaches at Keurbooms are primal and untouched – they must have been the same for ages,' says Karen Roos, wife of South African media mogul Koos Bekker and co-owner of Babylonstoren and The Newt in Somerset in the United Kingdom. 'Sharing this space with our guests came as a natural next step,' Roos added. Each cottage is named after a different shade of blue in Afrikaans – from Duifblou and Kobalt to Oseaan – a nod to the many tones of sea and sky surrounding the property. 'We wanted to create a quiet space,' Roos said, 'so guests can experience all the senses: the scent of sea and buchu, the sound of the waves, and the presence of dolphins and other sea life right on the doorstep.' Three oceanfront cottages offer uninterrupted sea views, while five courtyard cottages surround a communal garden with a swimming pool, sauna, and steam room. Beach walks to Arch Rock Swimming, fishing, and marine wildlife tours Guided hikes and kayak excursions in Keurbooms River Reserve Visits to local nature sanctuaries and artisanal markets A mini Babylonstoren spa with steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, and glass-ended pool BLOU is available exclusively to guests who have previously stayed at Babylonstoren or The Newt. If you've afforded the accommodation costs at either of the aforementioned places, the 'from' R6 600 per cottage should easily be within your price range. 3 ocean-facing cottages (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) 2 courtyard cottages (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom) 3 courtyard cottages (1 bedroom, 1 children's loft, 1.5 bathrooms) Self-catering with induction kitchens, coffee machines, and pantry staples Communal pool, sauna, steam room Braai areas, private garden spaces WiFi included Sleeps 2-4 per cottage From R6 600 per cottage per night Minimum 2-night stay Child-friendly | Not pet-friendly Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
