Newsletter February 2009

Gates to Ellerslie open in just one month

One month today the gates will open for the 14th Ellerslie International Flower Show, the stage being set for Christchurch to develop the Southern Hemisphere’s largest garden show into one of the top five garden shows in the world.

Fifteen months ago Christchurch bought New Zealand’s premier garden event with two aims:
1. To reclaim and enhance Christchurch’s image as the Garden City; and
2. To develop Ellerslie in to one of the world’s most prestigious garden shows.

With more than 80 horticultural exhibits – including 28 gardens – Ellerslie 2009 will be the biggest in the Show’s 14-year history and it’s guaranteed to wow the thousands of visitors from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

We have begun our journey in creating a world-class event which is recognised globally. The 2009 Show, while retaining many of the successful features of the past – the Hort Galore and Floral Art Marquees – also reflects the new southern location for Ellerslie.

This is through the Taste of the South – Show visitors being treated to the best seasonal fare and some of the south’s award-winning wines – Ellerslie’s partnership with the Christchurch Festival of Flowers which is celebrating its 20th anniversary season in 2009, and the exhibition garden designs celebrating the best southern flora.

Ellerslie 2009 has so many highlights:
o The multi-award winning Singapore Garden Festival garden, Seeking Shangri-La by talented Asian designer Peter Cheok. This is a fantasy garden with a serious environmental message which will be a real show stopper.
o The Starlight Marquee – an innovative new feature from 2007 – this is where West Meets East in what promises to be one of the most visually stunning and challenging displays of garden design and lighting. It has to be a must see for everyone.
o Ellerslie’s Crate Escape – the ultimate bloke’s garden promoting backyard cricket, beers and barbecues, designed by Crusaders and All Black halfback Andy Ellis and his mate Danny Kamo from John Marsh Landscape Architects.
o The three times daily fashion shows of the hottest Wearable Weeds by internationally renowned Christchurch costume and fabric artist Jenny Gillies. Her floral weeds collection is sure to court a little controversy.
o Leading British garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin – who selects gardens for the world famous Chelsea Flower Show – coming to Ellerslie 2009 to judge and deliver a series of lectures on British garden trends.
o And the official Ellerslie Garden Tours organised by the Canterbury Horticultural Society. These are guided tours of Canterbury’s best award-winning and nationally significant gardens.

As a city, Christchurch has embraced Ellerslie. During the five days of the Show, the Garden City will literally bloom. It is a global floral celebration that is not to be missed.

I look forward to welcoming you all to Christchurch and the Ellerslie International Flower Show when it opens in Christchurch in just 28 days; there simply is no other place to be this autumn but Christchurch!

Regards

BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH