Click to enlarge

EMBARGOED TO 2.30PM ON TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2010

Akaroa steals National Flower Bed hat trick from Christchurch

Akaroa and the Bays have stolen the hat trick from the Garden City of Christchurch by winning this year’s National Flower Bed Competition at the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

Akaroa won Gold and the National Flower Bed title for its floral tribute to Banks Peninsula’s landmark Akaroa Lighthouse (pictured). The seaside village also won Gold in the competition in 2009.

Christchurch had won the National Flower Bed Competition for the last two years and was going for the hat trick in 2010.

Lead Judge Penny Cliffin said there were three excellent entries in this year’s event – Akaroa, Christchurch and Ashburton.

“Akaroa won Gold and the title because the exhibit was skilful and restrained in its plant selection, had a real sense of fun and for being iconic.

“The garden also stood up to scrutiny at a distance and close up.”

She praised Ashburton for its “impressive plant selection – the colour, the form and the texture”. Ashburton, which won bronze in 2009, have created a garden which celebrates

the district’s pioneering agriculture, from tussocks to arable land and beyond. The garden won a Silver Distinction medal.

Christchurch City, which has won Gold the last two years, also won Silver Distinction for its garden depicting the symbolic image of punting on the Avon.

The National Flower Bed Competition is modelled on the traditional flower bed competition by the Royal Horticultural Society of Britain and demonstrates the increasing importance councils and local authorities place on their surroundings.

The Convenor of Judges Robert Hillier of England’s Royal Horticulture Society said in England this competition is hotly contested by local authorities, many of whom have been competing for 10 or more years and the standards are unbelievable.

“The competition is exciting for flower shows as it presents a great opportunity for communities to tell a story about their own community or a bit of their history.

“It was fantastic to see so many exhibits at Ellerslie this year.”

Awards:

Gold Akaroa and the Bays

Silver Distinction Christchurch City Council
Ashburton District Council

Bronze Keep New Zealand Beautiful Wellington
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Rotorua
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Coromandel

Merit Keep New Zealand Beautiful Kaiapoi

• Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media