14 February 2013

Garden Designers Turn Dreams Into Reality For Ellerslie

Dreams have started to become reality today when dozens of designers begin the process of creating their exhibition gardens for the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

After months of planning the designers can finally begin constructing their gardens on-site in North Hagley Park in preparation for their judging on Monday, 4 March and for their public unveiling on Wednesday, March 6.

While the professionals move in today, the aspiring professionals have to wait until Saturday until they can get started on their entries in the show. That is when those competing in the Emerging Designs – Student of the Year competition can start putting their creations together.

For Wellington landscape design student Bayley LuuTomes the start of Ellerslie cannot come soon enough. He is excited about participating in the prestigious show and having the chance to compete for gold.

“It has been an amazing journey to date with so many wonderful people in this industry. I can’t wait to get there,” he says.

For a group of enthusiastic amateurs from Raumati School in Kapiti, March 2 is D-day. That is when they will arrive at North Hagley Park to begin work on their exhibition garden – the first ever by a school.

“It goes without saying that we are all extremely excited to be coming down and taking part in the Ellerslie International Flower Show,” says their teacher Diane Turner.

Preparations for the opening of the Ellerslie show are well underway. Fifteen large marquees are being erected on site, which along with Hagley Park’s two large geodesic event domes, will create a garden village atmosphere.

There are a total of 73 horticultural exhibits this year including 26 outdoor gardens. Putting the show together is a team of 50 full-time and contract staff assisted by around 200 local volunteers.

Ellerslie International Flower Show Managing Director Dave Mee says up to 200 people will be on site during the next week with numbers building to 1000 in the days leading up to the show’s public opening.

“This year’s show is all about flowers and it has a new edible component too. With more than 200 exhibits in total and a quarter of a million flowers, there will be plenty to see and do during the five-day show,” he says.

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The Ellerslie International Flower Show is on in North Hagley Park from March 6 to 10.

Tickets are available from the website www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz, all open Christchurch City Council Service Centres, Mitre 10 Mega Stores in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru, Terra Viva, EziBuy Christchurch and Nichols Garden Centres.

ENDS

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