Monday June 30 2014

MEDIA RELEASE

Sweet Pea Festival coming up

The sweet success of Highwic’s Sweet Pea Festival held last year will be repeated again on November 22-23 2014.

The historic Newmarket mansion, located in central Auckland, which is managed by Heritage New Zealand (formerly the NZ Historic Places Trust), will once again host a floral festival celebrating the delights of the incredibly versatile Sweet Pea.

“We’re in the process of organising ground preparation and seed planting this month in anticipation of a spectacular array of blooms for late November’s festival,” says the Manager of Highwic, Cheryl Laurie.

“Dr Keith Hammett will provide his expertise again this year – this time showcasing varieties of Sweet Pea that are suitable for container growing as well as cultivating in open gardens as well as continuing his very popular talks.”

Dr Hammett is currently acting President of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture and last year was awarded the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society in recognition of services given in the advancement of the science and practice of horticulture.

“Dr Hammett is an internationally renowned horticulturist, and we are very grateful to have his support for our Sweet Pea Festival,” says Cheryl.

Many people with courtyard gardens don’t always realise that they can grow these sweet peas as container plants – a major plus as increasing numbers of Aucklanders move to apartments and smaller dwellings.

“Sweet Peas are the perfect flower for Auckland conditions – they’re beautiful, colourful and can be used in different situations and settings,” says Cheryl.

“Everybody loves them.”

The two-day Sweet Pea Festival will build on last year’s show and will feature Sweet Pea seeds available for purchase – including dwarf varieties for pots like Mixed Cupids and the Little Sweetheart variety – as well as the ever-popular guided tours hosted by Dr Hammett, and other attractions.

Highwic’s garden has been rated by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a Four Star Garden of Significance.

Don’t miss Highwic’s Sweet Pea Festival, November 22 and 23 2014.

www.highwic.co.nz

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