Local pumps make Chelsea flower show winner flow

The pump industry played a key role in the recent Australian victory at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. After nine years of presenting show gardens, the Aussies have made history around the world, being presented with a BEST IN SHOW medal at the awards ceremony held last week in London – a feat never before achieved by an Australian team.

The ninth and final entry for Chelsea Flower Show stalwarts, Fleming’s Nurseries, the Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming’s was not only awarded with a prestigious Gold Medal but also with the ‘Best in Show’ honour which has eluded the team for so many years.

This year’s Trailfinders Australian Garden presented by Fleming’s is a sustainable habitat complete with monolithic stone gorge, running waterfalls, a studio structure and billabong.

Ferntree Gully-based JDM Pumps built a special enclosed `Crate’ to house their pumps on site. This crate was lowered into the surrounding landscape to the rear of the build site to facilitate below water level suction for the recirculation of the pond (Billabong) water. According to JDM’s John Parker, the key was to provide a product which could be set up quickly.

JDM supplied 4 x Messner M-40,000,230V,50Hz. and one special Messner M-40,000,115V,50Hz pump. These pumps are heavy duty water gardening pumps utilizing a canned wet-rotor design with 20mm ceramic static shaft and ceramic thrust washers. At 38,700 litres per hour these very efficient pumps consume only 650 watts each.

The special 115V pump version was built to allow operation of the water display for setting up and flow balancing during construction work. The 115V is an electrical safety requirement in the UK for all electrical equipment used on construction sites.

The  design is maintained by an integrated water management system which is independent from mains water and reduces the impact on the storm water infrastructure by retaining and recycling storm water run-off.

A three metre-cubed home ‘studio’ structure, designed by Melbourne-based architecture firm, Studio 505, was a key feature in the garden’s design and had been crafted specifically for the Queen’s height.

The finished design took a total of 17 days and over 2,500 man-hours to build, transforming what once resembled a bare soccer pitch into a sustainable garden retreat.

Wes Fleming said a team of 18 volunteers, using 38 tonnes of tools, equipment, materials and plants sourced both locally and abroad had been the foundation of the team’s success.

“ We couldn’t have done it without the dedication and support of our 18 volunteer crewmen and our families, not just in 2013 but on every show garden we’ve ever presented since we first arrived at Chelsea back in 2004.

“ So we will share this medal with everyone who has enjoyed the Chelsea experience with us along the way,” he said.

This is Fleming’s Nurseries’ ninth medal in as many years with the team previously winning four silver-gilt and four gold medals.

Fleming will hang up his boots at the close of this year’s event to focus on new projects back on home soil.

Designed by sustainable landscaper, Phillip Johnson of Phillip Johnson landscapes, the Best in Show medal at what is regarded as the ‘Olympics of the horticulture world’, represents something of a career zenith for the already highly-awarded landscape firm.

“ Being involved in Chelsea was a dream come true for myself and my team. Winning an award amongst contemporaries of this calibre is absolutely mind-blowing. We couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved, it’s been an incredible experience,” exclaimed Johnson.

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