Newsletter January 2009

Christchurch a buzz in March with international events

If the Ellerslie International Flower Show was not a big enough
drawcard to come to Christchurch in March 2009, the city will also
be hosting the HSBC New Zealand PGA Championship in early
March. Come to Christchurch for 10 days from March 5, spend four
days relaxing and watching some of the world’s best golfers in
action at Clearwater Golf Resort, then head to North Hagley Park
for two or three days at Ellerslie, meandering among the exhibition
gardens and enjoying the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest garden
show.

With more than 80 horticultural exhibits, including 28 exhibition
gardens, there will be plenty to stimulate the senses, from multiple
gold award-winning Singapore garden designer Peter Cheok’s
fantasy garden to the touch of Hollywood glamour to be found this
year in the Floral Art Marquee. Take a wander down Worcester
Boulevard and soak up the floral atmosphere at the markets and
exhibitions throughout the Cultural Precinct, leading to the
magnificent floral carpet in the ChristChurch Cathedral.

End your visit by heading west to Hokitika for the Wildfoods Festival
on Saturday 14 March – indulge in some of the best wild foods the
West Coast has to offer and be part of the 20th anniversary
celebrations for the event. There will be plenty to eat and loads of
entertainment.

As part of your Ellerslie experience, spend a day or two visiting a
selection of Christchurch and Canterbury’s award-winning and
nationally significant gardens. The Canterbury Horticultural Society
has made it easy by creating seven different half-day, full-day and
twilight tours which reflect the diversity of the region’s landscape
and the evolution of garden design since Canterbury was settled in
the 1850s.

From city courtyards to historic cottages and high country stations,
there is a tour to appeal to everyone’s gardening passion. You are
guaranteed to be inspired by the creativity and sheer beauty of
these stunning gardens. Don’t forget to book – 0800 TICKETEK –
as tour numbers are limited.

With there now only seven weeks until the gates open for Ellerslie –
tickets to the Premier Garden Party are selling fast. These are
limited to 500. This is Christchurch’s first social event of 2009 and a
fundraiser for The Cancer Society. For $175 a ticket, you get to
wander among the gardens, chat to the designers, sip bubbles and
nibble on canapés while enjoying live jazz and light classical music,
waiting for the judges to announce the award-winning gardens.
Tickets are available from www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

During the next few weeks you can continue to share in the build up
to the Show by keeping your television tuned to TV1 on Saturday
mornings at 9.30am. The Road to Ellerslie – in the Garden City is
proving popular as the insider’s guide to Ellerslie. As well as
featuring designers preparing for the Show and showcasing
Canterbury’s best gardens – all of which will be open to visitors
during Ellerslie – The Road to Ellerslie also offers plenty of practical
advice on garden design, planting and sustainability.

So if you haven’t already, book your flights and accommodation
now – the city is filling up fast with more than Ellerslie drawing the
crowds to the Garden City in March 2009.

Regards


BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH