It's like the Olympics for gardeners. Seeing our Aussie champions victorious in the pinnacle of gardening exhibitions, the Chelsea Flower Show, brings tears to the eyes and a sense of pride wells in the spirit. Non-gardeners wouldn't get that!

Costing more than $500,000, this year's exhibit by Victoria's Fleming's Nurseries took out one of only 7 coveted gold prizes. Landscape Designer, Dean Herald, had already won gold with a variation on this garden at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in 2005 after designing a very practical Aussie outdoor theme.

The garden consisted of an operational outdoor kitchen complimented with the proverbial 'kitchen sink', a sunken lounge area that surrounded the fireplace and even a sandpit and blackboard as a children's play area. So, not only was this garden scene aesthetically pleasing it is also completely functional.

If you want to read more details, including some of the plant selections used, Flemings have a site completely dedicated to this amazing exhibit.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Source: Drought resistant Aust garden grabs Chelsea gold