In May 2025, South African landscape design sensation and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Alumnus, Leon Kluge, scooped his third Gold Medal with an exhibit titled "Iconic Landscapes, at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show in London. This exceptional victory underscores his unique talent, while also highlighting South Africa's rich biodiversity on a global stage.
In addition, the exhibit's excellence was recognised with multiple awards, including the prestigious Gold Medal, "Best New Design," and "Best in the Great Pavilion." These accolades are proof of the team's dedication and Kluge's visionary design. While captivating visitors, the display also attracted the attention of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who visited the South African stand, underscoring the global significance of South Africa's floral heritage.
A vision rooted in nature
Kluge's design philosophy is deeply intertwined with nature. Rather than drawing inspiration from books or trends, he immerses himself in the natural world, observing plants in their native habitats. This approach allows him to create gardens that resonate with authenticity and a profound sense of place. His previous works, such as "The Cape Flora of South Africa," have garnered international acclaim, showcasing his ability to blend art with environmental consciousness.
Leon Kluge, scooped his third Gold Medal with his exhibit titled "Iconic Landscapes, at the Royal Horticultural Society's 2025 Chelsea Flower Show in London.
The 2025 Exhibit: A tribute to the Cape Floral Kingdom
For the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show, Kluge's exhibit, "Iconic Landscapes," took visitors on a journey through South Africa's diverse terrains. The display featured over 22,000 plant stems, including 40 different protea varieties, such as the rare Protea pityphylla and the pendulous Protea sulphurea. These species are native to the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world's six floral kingdoms and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A standout feature of the exhibit was the backdrop created by artist Tristan Woudberg. Using large clay sculptures, Woudberg depicted the mountain ranges that divide the Cape's biomes, symbolising the harsh climates where these unique species thrive. The cracked clay formations represented the contrasting wet and dry seasons of the fynbos biome, highlighting the fragility of these ecosystems.
Leon Kluge and Tristan Woudberg at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, celebrating their gold medal win.
This achievement was the result of Kluge, artist Tristan Woudberg and a team of volunteers’ collaborative effort. Their meticulous planning and hard work ensured the success of the exhibit. The team's commitment to showcasing South Africa's unique flora was evident in every aspect of the display, from the selection of plant species to the design of the sculptures.
Master mind behind two previous show-stopping displays
Kluge, who completed his B-Tech in Landscape Technology in 2009 through the Department of Horticulture, was the mastermind behind South Africa’s show-stopping displays in both 2024 and 2025. These victories mark his fourth and fifth Chelsea Gold medals, having also won in 2018 and 2019, and reaffirm his status as a visionary in the world of landscape and floral design.
In 2024, Kluge, along with fellow TUT Horticulture alumna Anna Rose Ncube (Class of 2013), was instrumental in Team South Africa’s breath-taking Protea-inspired exhibit. Featuring over 22,000 stems of Protea and various fynbos species, the display paid tribute to the biodiversity of the Cape’s mountainous regions.
This powerful and colourful design — complete with rare hybrids like Protea "Snow Leopard" and delicate blooms such as Serruria florida ("Blushing Brides") — earned perfect scores from the RHS judges. The exhibit was also awarded Best Exhibit in the Pavilion and Best New Design, with critics hailing it as one of the most outstanding displays in the show’s history.
With high expectations following their 2024 triumph, Kluge and his team returned in 2025 with South Africa’s largest exhibit yet, once again claiming a Gold Medal at the world’s most prestigious flower show.