Australian garden exhibit triumphs at Chelsea Flower Show
An Australian garden presentation has created history by claiming 'best in show' honours at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.
The Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming's, which took a team of 18 volunteers 17 days to build, was designed by Melbourne's Philip Johnson and is the first Australian display to win best in show.
The $2 million display, which features a stone gorge, running waterfalls and a billabong, is a showcase of the Australian landscape and Australia's parks and gardens skills.
The Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming's was also awarded a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society event.
A statement on the Fleming's Nurseries website explains "this garden reminds us that nature is the perfect reference for sustainable design, imperative in the twenty first century.
"(it) aims to challenge conventional garden design, whilst incorporating best environmental practice in an urban environment.
"Imperatives in the garden design include water capture and conservation, site-defined plant selection, promotion of biodiversity and habitat creation, the use of recycled materials and solar power, and bushfire suppression systems. The result is a beautiful oasis that revives the soul, and assists in rebuilding our fragile environment.
"The focal points of the landscape are the Billabong, gorge and waterfalls, as well as the Studio perched on the edge of the gorge. The Studio roof includes solar panels with the capacity to generate enough power for the whole landscape."
Fleming's Nurseries Director Wes Fleming, who has entered the competition a total of nine times, hailed the win, telling the AAP "I never thought it would happen but as I've told the crew about 20 times ..., we can go home knowing that we're the best in the world at what we do."
The Chelsea Flower Show is open to the public from 21st to 25th May in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London.
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