Christchurch design pair win both Judges' and Supreme Design Awards at Ellerslie

A garden inspired by clever reuse has won the Judges’ Supreme Award at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show.

Convenor of Judges Andrew Fisher Tomlin said the garden Revolutionising Reuse designed by Christchurch’s Rebecca Hammond and Grant Stephens (H & S Design) really stood out amongst the other exhibits.

“This garden had innovation, attention to detail and a powerful message - which all came together to create a stunning focal point for the Show.

“The judges loved the variety of planting and the great ideas that visitors to the Show will be able to take home and can achieve in their own gardens.”

Hammond and Stephens, who are Masters graduates from Lincoln University School of Landscape Architecture, took the plunge and started their own business just seven months ago.

“We decided Ellerslie would be the chance to showcase our skills to the world and we went all out to make it happen.”

Their clever and colourful spaces include an outdoor living room (with a piano), dining room with handmade glass surfaces from old bottles, and a living pantry packed full of produce – lush strawberries, colourful bright aubergines, herbs in reused wine bottles, old kitchen cupboards and sideboards.

“We wanted to rescue things in a clean smart way and give people inspiration for doing this themselves in their own gardens,” they said.

The pair also took out the Supreme Design award.

Fisher Tomlin said the garden exemplified excellence in design manifest with integrity from concept through to design detailing.

“All aspects from planting to individual design elements and spaces have been well considered and beautifully executed. Design details reward the eye wherever you look and further enhance the clarity of design.

“The aesthetic of the chosen design has been integrated throughout the space and results in a crisp, functional, fun and productive series of outdoor living spaces.”

Other supreme award winners were:
Supreme Award for Horticultural Excellence – NZ Alpine Garden Society
The Judges said: “This display was an immaculate collection of plants with faultless presentation. A display that invites you in, showing a real passion for plants with a touch of honour.”

Ellerslie International Construction Award – ARKO Exterior Architecture, Christchurch
The Judges said: “Quite simply this garden is one of the most ambitious builds we have seen undertaken in an exhibition show.

The design is demanding and the chosen building material (concrete) is renowned for its fickle characteristics.

To build onsite exposed aggregate cantilevered concrete seats, ponds and paving is one thing. But to do so with excellence makes this garden worthy of a supreme award.”

There was no Supreme Lighting Award made this year, however Bayley Luu Tomes Young Student of the Year’s ‘Living Art’ rooftop garden also won a Gold medal for lighting

New Zealand National Flower Bed Title

Auckland, the City of Sails won the Zealandia National Flower Bed competition with their themed flower garden.
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