Neighbours challenge Christchurch for garden title

Neighbours challenge Christchurch for prestigious garden title

A bird’s eye view of the Ashburton district, a garden capturing the splendour of the Waimakariri and a colourful representation of Akaroa Harbour and its bays are challenging Christchurch for a prestigious national garden title.

Neighbouring communities of Waimakariri, Akaroa and Ashburton will next month attempt to wrestle from Christchurch the National Flower Bed Competition title at the Ellerslie International Flower Show in the Garden City.

Christchurch won the inaugural title in 2007 at the last Auckland-hosted Ellerslie International Flower Show. Christchurch’s Garden City pride will be at stake when the city hosts the Show next month, from 11 to 15 March, and competes to retain the title.

Christchurch’s 2009 entry is a tribute to the ornate late Victorian Peacock Fountain which was erected in the Botanic Gardens in 1911 and has tended to continue to court controversy.

Visit Waimakariri’s garden will be a bold and contemporary design capturing the essence of the district, surrounded by mountains, foothills, rivers and alluvial plains leading to the sea. Visitors to Ellerslie are encouraged to “inhale the colour and vibrancy that is woven together to reveal what is special about the Waimakariri”.

Ashburton district will present a “bird’s eye view of the rich tapestry of the highly productive district”, while Akaroa will “celebrate the wildlife and diverse cultural heritage” of the bays, visitors needing to “stop and enjoy a snapshot of the magic that is peninsula living”.

Ellerslie’s National Flower Bed Competition has been 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.

• Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 11 to 15 March. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. The 2009 Show will feature almost 80 horticultural exhibits, including 25 exhibition gardens, with loads of fresh and exciting ideas for every garden. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

Image featured: Christchurch’s award-winning 2007 National Flower Bed Competition entry which depicted the region with ornamental lettuce Canterbury Plains, alyssum Southern Alps, petunia rivers and Pacific Ocean and a verbena City.

ENDS

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