Wes Fleming and Phillip Johnson with the Best in Show Trophy
The Queen in the award winning garden.
The team hears the news
They did it! For the first time in 100 years Australians have won best in show at the Chelsea Flower Show. I am so thrilled that Wes Fleming and his team have finally achieved the “Impossible Dream” and done so well. And I love the garden with which they won it. Phillip Johnson’s designs have been inspiring me for years, exuberant and original and even from a distance it was clear that these values shone through to the judges.
I have been lucky to have been kept up to date with emails on a mailing list from Wes’s mum, Dawn and she beautifully described their reaction to the win.
“My gosh it is hard to describe the euphoria that erupted but I will damn well try. Eyes wide open, mouths wide open, 20 or so people laughing and screaming at the same time along with others around them – us, trying seriously to photograph or film the moment (probably messing it all up) while jumping up and down also and the crew throwing hats high in the air, some landing in the billabong while everyone was thumping each other on the back and losing balance and just about falling over each other. Tears and smiles on everyone’s faces, all so full of emotion with the unmistakable expression of WE DID IT WOW.”
Not only have Wes, Phil and their team achieved an amazing result, but Wes is adamant that another important outcome is the opportunity to have horticulture front and centre in the thoughts of Australians, but also to advance public awareness about the importance of urban greening, and put access to parks and gardens at the forefront of our urban planners thoughts. The president of NGlV David Howard said ‘The effort of the entire Fleming’s team has done a wonderful thing for the public profile of Australian horticulture. Wes’ tireless commitment to bringing Australian talent to the international arena over the last nine years has been phenomenal.’ He went on to add ‘Chelsea represents the ultimate achievement in the horticultural world, and we have no doubt that the media coverage that this success has generated will translate into a renewed interest in gardens and gardening. At a time where people are increasingly concerned with the wellbeing of their families and children, horticulture provides a solution which improves the environment, and brings physical and mental benefits to our population. Wes has been quick to point out the importance of urban greening both now and in the future, and that land policy planners put green space and access to plants as a central element in future urban development’
I just feel sorry that even though this is the first time in one hundred years that Australia has won this event, that it is not splashed all over our newspapers, especially in Victoria, as both Wes and Phil come from this state. If it had been sport, if it were an America’s Cup or the first time we’d won the Ashes in 100 years, then you wouldn’t be able to find anything else on the first few pages of our newspapers, and it would be leading all the evening news bulletins. Gardening is an essential part of so many people’s lives, we are so lucky to be able to celebrate this great win. Thank you Wes, Phil, Flemings and all the spons0rs and the rest of the team of workers both on site and behind the scenes.
A children's choir singing in the garden
Wes and Phillip with the Best in Show medal
Go to the Flemings website to see lots more pictures of the garden, the people and the celebrations.
