Ellerslie Has Lasting Impact On Christchurch

4 March, 2013

Ellerslie Has Lasting Impact On Christchurch

Christchurch’s Ellerslie International Flower Show may only run for five days but its impact on the city will grow on long after the last visitors to the show have gone home.

Not only does the Show give a boost to the local economy, but also many of the plants and flowers displayed at Ellerslie will be put to use around the city of Christchurch to add an instant injection of colour.

The floral art will make its way to rest homes and charity organisations after the judging is over, providing colour and cheer for some who have little left, while community garden projects like Greening the Rubble will be given hundreds of the plants used during the Show so they can be recycled across the city.

“Ellerslie is not just a celebration of gardening, it is also about giving back to the community of Christchurch,’’ says Ellerslie International Flower Show managing director Dave Mee.

“Each year as many of the plants as possible are recycled back into the community while charities benefit significantly from the money we raise through the course of the Show.”

This year an exhibition garden created by the students of Raumati South Primary School, on the Kapiti Coast, will be gifted in its entirety to Riccarton’s Wharenui Primary School so its students can also learn the benefits of gardening.

“Ellerslie may only be on for five days of the year but it does have a far-reaching impact on the community. For example, the children of Wharenui School will be able to enjoy their new garden for years to come and hopefully it will instil in them a love of gardening that one day they will be able to pass on to their own children.’’

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter says Ellerslie is an important event because it not only draws visitors to the city, but it also cements Christchurch's reputation as a Garden City.

"It is often hard to quantify the value of events like Ellerslie but it's a great marketing tool for Christchurch and a fabulous event that attracts visitors from throughout New Zealand as well as from overseas.''

Ellerslie International Flower Show will be held in North Hagley Park from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 March.

Caption: Kapiti’s Raumati South Primary School is donating this sustainable garden, made by its students, to Wharenui School in Christchurch.

Follow Ellerslie International Flower Show on Facebook

To book any of the Edible Ellerslie sessions go to www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Tickets for Ellerslie International Flower Show at a pre-gate price of $35 for Adult Anyday passes, are available until March 6 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