INTERVIEW
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David and Ray … have you both always known you wanted to be garden designers? Ray: In my case, I set out to study horticulture and garden design, including a course with John Brookes, and I have designed gardens ever since. David: My career path was different – I started out as a social worker but ended up where I belonged, in a horticultural environment, working as a graphic designer. How did you manage to land this exciting job? David: Designing Chelsea was a part of my portfolio as Head of Graphic Services at SANBI (Kirstenbosch). Ray: I was introduced to the team by my previous employer, Keith Kirsten, who was a member of the National Botanical Gardens Board at the time. What did you both study to prepare
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social work. I later headed the Graphic
and flowers for use in the display, as well as
Services Unit at the National Biodiversity
keeping the site clean and tidy.
Institute (Kirstenbosch) for 17 years. This role included show design- and here I am today. Ray: I obtained a Diploma in Horticulture
How do you transport the flowers abroad? Do you propagate?
and gained my comprehensive practical
David: The plant material is sent by air
training and work experience with the Durban
freight from South Africa to London. Some
Botanic Garden. I then obtained a Diploma
of the material is propagated– mostly annual
in Parks Administration at the John Brooks
flowering plants and ground covers of South
School of Landscape Design (1984). My
African origin are propagated in Germany and
career in landscaping includes the design and
donated by Kientzler Young Plants.
management of numerous well known estates and gardens.
When deciding on a theme for each exhibit, what guides your process?
How many years have you worked at the RHS Chelsea Flower show on behalf of SANBI? Ray: I believe it has been 23 years. How big is the team that goes over each
Ray: Nature and the indigenous flora of SA is our main guide, accompanied by the intention to create a sense of place as a means of promoting the country as a desirable tourist destination.
year, and what job do each of you carry
What inspires each year’s exhibit?
out?
David: Usually a place or event associated
David: The size of the team varies, due
with the National Biodiversity Institute, such as
to financial constraints and the number of
a special garden, an anniversary or centenary
volunteers who join the team. Ray and I do
as in the case of Kirstenbosch in 2013 (which
most of the display work while the rest of the
coincided with the centenary of the Chelsea
my greatest passion, although I began my
team do the important work of constructing
Flower Show).
professional career in psychology and clinical
the props and preparing all the plant material
yourselves for this industry? David: Plants and art have always been
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Pro Landscaper Africa / June 2016
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