THE world's most famous flower show has recognised an Australia native in an Australian setting for a major award.

The Chelsea Flower Show judges awarded one of its gold medals to the exhibit Orchids in the Wild - The Orchids of Asia and The Pacific which included Western Australia's native blue sun orchid.

Two rare hybrids of the species, Thelymitra dentata x glaucophylla and Thelymitra glaucophylla x grandiflora were displayed in an authentic sandy setting complete with rocks from WA and burnt pieces of wood to give an authentic feel to the rare plant's setting.

The donkey orchid (Diuris corymbosa) was also part of the display.

Neither orchids are available for purchase as they are protected species, living only in Western Australia and Tasmania.

Perth botanist Professor Kingsley Dixon had an key role in a partnership of over 25 global institutions, including the University of WA and Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, to display orchids from Hong Kong, South China, Singapore, Hawaii, and Australia.

The blue sun orchid flowers in Australia between September and December which meant no plants could be exported from Australia.

A colleague in Germany with some seed came to the rescue and Professor Dixon's expertise in Kew glasshouses meant the flowering of the orchid could be timed with the show's opening.