South African designer Leon Kluge and his team secured both Grand Gold and Best on Show at the Shenzhen International Flower Show with unique designs.

Shenzhen, China (27 March 2026) – What started as a behind-the-scenes build in a foreign country has now turned into a major win. South African designer Leon Kluge and his team have officially taken top honours at the Shenzhen International Flower Show, walking away with both the Grand Gold Award and Best on Show.

It’s a massive achievement at one of the biggest flower shows in Asia and a proud moment not just for the team on the ground, but for South Africa as a whole.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Leon shared just how much the moment meant:

“South Africa won the Grand Gold Award. Not only the Grand Gold, we are also Best on Show. That means South Africa’s garden here at the Shenzhen Flower Show is number one.”

From the architecture right through to the plant selection, the winning garden stood out for its unique blend of influences, combining Asian design elements with strong African inspiration. It’s a fusion that clearly resonated with judges and visitors.

“Representing a mixture of Asian design and African influence in the design. Not only the architecture, but also the plants. And I’m very proud to take this on.”

Just days ago, the team was still deep in the build phase, working against time, language barriers, and the challenges of creating something world-class far from home. Now, that hard work has paid off in the best way possible.

“Thank you so much for all the encouraging messages from everybody back home every day, we managed to pull it off.”

After conquering one of the world’s biggest flower shows with two major awards secured, the team will soon be bringing their success back to South Africa.

Sources: Leon Kluge 

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Just days to go before the South African designer is hard at work building his garden at the Shenzhen International Flower Show, one of Asia’s biggest showcases.

Shenzhen, China (23 March 2026) – With just days to go before one of Asia’s biggest garden showcases opens its doors, South African designer Leon Kluge is right in the thick of it and building something special on the global stage.

Representing the country at the Shenzhen International Flower Show, Leon has been sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the intense build process. Positioned right at the entrance of the show, his garden is already taking shape, with structural elements like walkways, decking and water features being carefully put into place.

While a few trees are already planted, the real magic is still to come. For now, it’s all about construction. With water elements only arriving late at night and finishing touches happening around the clock. This shows that it’s no ordinary setup.

Burnt branch textures and flowing water features are slowly bringing the garden to life, with every detail adding to the final vision.

Leon is no stranger to international recognition, having previously made waves on the global stage.

Not forgetting the prestigious Landscape of the Year title, cementing his reputation as one of South Africa’s leading garden designers on the international stage. Now, with just four days to go, all eyes are on how his latest creation will come together and how South Africa will once again shine through his work.

Sources: Leon Kluge

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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Did you know that pangolins grow on trees?

North Coast, South Africa (06 January 2025) – Well, not really, but the Raphia australis, also known as the Kosi palm, nearly had us fooled.

SA’s David Attenborough, Leon Kluge, has cleansed our feeds with another good dose of green! This time, we learn about the Kosi palm. A staggeringly tall monocarpic tree that grows along the north-eastern coastal swamp forests of KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.

What makes this tree particularly interesting, beyond its enormous leaves that grow to out-measure the length of a London bus, is that it also produces a strikingly beautiful fruit that resembles the geometric scales of a pangolin.

This fruit attracts one of the rarest and most unique birds in Africa, the palm-nut vulture.

One would think vultures generally stick to flesh and bones, but this raptor has a taste for fruit!

In fact, they love palm-nuts so much, they build their nests along the crowns of the Kosi palm. When fruit is ready for harvest, they’ll devour it and drop its scale-like shells into the swamps.

That is how they’ve become the main distributors of the palm. How cool.

It’s never too late to learn something new about nature. Thanks Leon!

Sources: Linked above. 

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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SA’s Leon Kluge is a force behind the flowers. His green thumbs have brought home gold from international flower and gardening shows, but he’s also become our very own David Attenborough…

Cape Town, South Africa (07 November 2025) – As a botanist, landscape designer, presenter and writer, Leon Kluge’s fascination with the biodiversity of the Cape shines through in everything he does.

In award-winning displays around the world, but also through his passion for sharing his knowledge with others.

Leon first began documenting his obsession with plants and flowers on YouTube years ago. His online series about the incredible biodiversity in the Cape is a gem we were so happy to find.

There are seven episodes. Each of them are about 25 minutes long.

You’ll learn about the Cape’s carnivorous plants, meet the giants of the forest in Tsitsikamma, get to know the shapeshifting god of the Protea Kingdom, discover the magic in the deserts of the Cape, and uncover secrets about the fascinating plants of the fynbos region.

He tracks all over the Cape, sharing his love for the 9000 plant species that occur there, found nowhere else in the world. It’s how his reputation as the David Attenborough of fynbos first took shape.

Because we are an age of scrollers, he’s made it even easier for everyone to get a good dose of green on our feeds. If you follow him on social media, you’ll get the best kind of timeline refresher. One that teaches you about flowers and why it’s so important to protect them.

Here’s the most recent lesson is about the butterfly pelargonium that grows high on the Richtersveld mountains.

 

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A post shared by Leon Kluge (@leonkluge)

Sources: Linked above

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South Africa’s celebrated flower expert, Leon Kluge, brings a stunning display of fynbos and the iconic King Protea to inspire runners along the marathon route and celebrate the beauty of local flora.

Cape Town, South Africa (16 October 2025) – Not all highlights of the Cape Town Marathon come from the athletes on the road. This year, runners and spectators will have something extra (maybe even different) to enjoy. A stunning floral display by South Africa’s own Leon Kluge, the internationally acclaimed plants expert, designer, and social media creator.

Known for his creative approach to plants, Leon has built a following online by sharing his knowledge of everything from seasonal growth tips to rare plant varieties. This year, he is bringing his expertise to the marathon, where participants will pass vibrant installation featuring iconic fynbos and the national flower, the King Protea, as the centrepiece. What a way to catch your breath and soak in some beauty during the challenging 42-kilometre journey, right?

Leon’s work does not stop at the marathon. He has been celebrated across South Africa and abroad for his floral artistry, including a gold-winning display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London and several other prestigious accolades.

Another award under his name is the Landscape Designer of the Year at the Designer of the Year Awards, which honours the best in South Africa’s design and creative community.

While the awards recognise his decades of dedication to horticulture and design, it’s Leon’s passion for sharing plants with the world that makes his marathon display so special.

Runners will be experiencing the artistry and care that Leon puts into every stem and bloom.

From social media tutorials to international awards and now to the streets of Cape Town, Leon Kluge proves that the beauty of plants can refresh and even motivate athletes to keep moving. For marathon runners this weekend, his display promises a moment of pause and appreciation.

Sources: Leon Kluge/ Facebook 

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Leon Kluge shines a spotlight on the unusual winter bloom shuttlecock protea that attracts sunbirds and brightens the Cape

Greyton, South Africa (31 July 2025) – Winter may bring cooler days to the Cape, but it also brings one of the most delightful sights in the fynbos, the Shuttlecock protea. Plant explorer Leon Kluge recently shared one of his favourites. Known scientifically as Protea Aurea, this flower is a real treat for anyone who loves nature and beautiful gardens.

Unlike the big, cup-shaped proteas we all know, this one is a little different. Its flower opens wide, almost as if the cup has collapsed, showing off its tiny spikes inside. These spikes carry pollen and catch the light beautifully in the sun. It is easy to see why it is called the Shuttlecock protea; it literally looks just like the little ball from a game of badminton.

But the magic does not stop there. Sunbirds and sugarbirds cannot resist this flower. They land right on top to sip its nectar, and while doing so, they pick up the pollen. When they fly off to the next bloom, they carry the pollen with them, helping the plant to grow new seeds. It is a quiet little dance between the flowers and the birds, and it is lovely to watch.

These proteas do not only bloom in white. You can also spot them in soft pinks and pale yellows, and before they open, the buds look like tiny candlesticks. Giving the plant another sweet nickname, the candlestick protea.

If you feel like a scenic winter outing, the area around Greyton is full of these beautiful blooms right now. Walking among them, with sunbirds flitting around, is a reminder that winter in the Cape has its own special kind of magic.

The Shuttlecock protea may be unusual, but that is exactly what makes it so charming. A little winter surprise from our incredible South African fynbos.

Sources: Facebook 

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From Singapore to Stellies: Leon Kluge’s enchanting and gold-winning garden ‘Between Two Worlds’ is coming to Stellenbosch this Earth Day!

Hazendal, South Africa (14 April 2025) — Renowned botanist Leon Kluge’s enchanting and award-winning ‘Between Two Worlds’ garden is coming to Stellenbosch following its stellar wins in Singapore last year.

In case you missed it, ‘Between Two Worlds’ stole the show in late 2024 at the Singapore Garden Festival, where it claimed top honours—a gold medal, Best on Show, and Best Lighting awards.

While many fantasy gardens were created at the Singapore Garden Festival, Leon’s fantasy garden titled ‘Between Two Worlds’ stayed with onlookers long after the fest ended.

Inspired by Singapore’s Mangrove forests, the fantasy garden brought forth what could’ve easily been a scene straight out of a fairytale. Here, a humble nest cradled by roots rising up from the water created a wonderful wild sanctuary in which an anonymous being rested. The sound of water trickling through moss-covered rocks set the scene for the creature, whose breath was mimicked by a subtle up-and-down motion as it drifted off to sleep to enter the ethereal World of Dreams.

The sound of water trickling through moss-covered rocks set the scene for the creature, whose breath was mimicked by a subtle up-and-down motion as it drifted off to sleep to enter the ethereal World of Dreams.”

 

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A post shared by Leon Kluge (@leonkluge)

Now, ‘Between Two Worlds’ will visit the home-country of the creator behind it—much to the delight of many South Africans and especially those in Stellenbosch.

The garden is set to be open to the public on 22 April (launching on Earth Day) at the Hazendal Wine Estate and visitors can pop in (you will need a ticket) until 2 May.

Meanwhile, in more news where Kluge made South Africa proud, his garden ‘Living Contours’ recently won the Grand Gold Award at the Shenzhen International Flower Show!

Sources: Supplied; GTG 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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South Africa’s garden, ‘Living Contours’ has won the Grand Gold Award at the Shenzhen International Flower Show!

Guangdong, China (31 March 2025) — The Shenzhen International Flower Show welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to explore the gorgeous garden installations for only a handful of days. Despite the many nations and talented hands that plant, this year, the garden on everyone’s lips is South Africa’s thanks to a local team’s creating winning this year’s Grand Gold Award!

South African renowned botanist Leon Kluge and his right-hand green thumb Tristan Woudberg proudly welcomed the Grand Gold trophy at the Flower Show. This, for South Africa’s garden named ‘Living Contours’.

One out of 34 garden installations at the show, it’s easy to recognise why ‘Living Contours’ won the acclaimed award (it’s breathtaking).

Look: ‘Living Contours’ Steals the Flower Show!

 

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A post shared by Leon Kluge (@leonkluge)

According to Leon, Living Contours is “a fusion between African and Chinese design”.

This win comes after a slew of victories for South Africa is the gardening world; many of which were led by Leon.

The botanist shared his pride over South Africa’s ‘Grand Gold’ win, a sentiment shared by many of us back home.

In more exciting news from Leon and his team, the garden design set to showcase at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show (where South Africa has a history of excelling), has officially been revealed

As Leon explains:

“This year’s design showcases the influence of two magnificent Oceans, namely the Indian and Atlantic, on the flora of South Africa. Cutting through a mountain of fynbos runs a canyon where tannin-rich water flows. On the Atlantic side of the display the drier West Coast is represented by its colourful geophytes and bright flowers whilst the Indian Ocean on the opposite end is home to a lush collection of well known sub-tropical plants.”

You can check it out here. 

Sources: Leon Kluge 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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