Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Botanic Gardens Mark 150th With Giant Floral Cake


25 February 2013

Botanic Gardens Mark 150th
With Giant Floral Cake

Winning the Zealandia National Flower Bed Competition at the Ellerslie International Flower Show would be the icing on the cake for the team from Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens.

With the gardens celebrating their 150th anniversary staff have decided their entry in the Zealandia National Flower Bed Competition this year will be a giant floral birthday cake, complete with a candle on the top.

The three tier ‘cake’ will stand three-metres tall and will feature hundreds of colourful bedding plants.

Christchurch City Council Team Leader, Garden and Heritage Parks, Jeremy Hawker says a team of up to half a dozen staff from the Botanic Gardens will be responsible for whipping up the ‘cake’, which has been about a year in the planning.

He says while it would be nice to notch up another win in the competition – Christchurch won the first National Flower Bed Competition held at the last Auckland Show in 2007, and won again in 2009 at the first Show in Christchurch and again last year - staff are just looking forward to taking part.

“We just like competing. It’s the camaraderie of Ellerslie that we all enjoy,’’ Mr Hawker says.
Each display in the Zealandia National Flower Competition must be made up of at least 80 per cent of bedding plants and the entries must reflect the region each team represents.
Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens team will be competing against four other teams from across the country.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Ashburton District Council’s entry picks up on the district’s role as a leading centre for harness racing and is aptly called Harness Jewels.

Auckland’s entry reflects its position as the City of Sails. Its garden will feature a small sailing dinghy cutting through the sparking water of the Waitemata Harbour.

Otorohanga is pinning its hopes on the Buzzy Bee. It has successfully branded itself as New Zealand’s official Kiwiana Town and has chosen the classic children’s toy as the theme for its garden.

Christchurch’s second entry in the competition is being put together by Keep Christchurch Beautiful. ‘From Darkness There Shall Be Light’ will celebrate the rebuild of Christchurch.

Pedro Wylaars, National General Manager of Zealandia says they are excited to see how the different teams tackle the competition.

“What we’re hoping to see is really bold use of colours and lots of creative flair,’’ says Mr Wylaars. “We’re hoping the teams will really capture the essence of the regions they represent with their designs.’’


Caption: Christchurch’s Botanic Garden’s 2012 winning entry in the Zealandia National Flower Bed competition.

Follow Ellerslie International Flower Show on Facebook


• Ellerslie International Flower Show will be held in North Hagley Park from 6 – 10 March 2013.

• Tickets for Ellerslie International Flower Show, at a pre-gate price of $35 for Adult Anyday passes, 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

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.