19th January 2010

Beautifying Christchurch at the heart of annual garden competitions

Annual garden competitions are at the heart of the work by the Christchurch Beautifying Association and also their Hort Galore display at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show.

The Association won a Silver Distinction for its exhibit – Garden City Splendour –last year, missing gold by only two points. The garden depicted garden trends since 1897.

Immediate Past President Brian Briggs says garden competitions are an important part of the association’s work in promoting and beautifying the Garden City, the reputation bestowed upon Christchurch after it hosted The Great Exhibition in Hagley Park in 1906.

This year’s Ellerslie exhibit promotes the two ends of the spectrum for the Christchurch Beautifying Association’s annual garden competitions – the Ruske Cup for the Premier Garden and the Eliot Sinclair and Partners Trophy for the Easy Care Garden with Colour.

Mr Briggs says the Easy Care Garden category recognises that many people today have little time to spend in their garden but enjoy and love gardening and take pride in their living environment.

The Association’s 2010 Ellerslie Hort Galore exhibit depicts two houses in a suburban street; one is designed to compete in the Premier Garden category and the other in the Easy Care category.

He says by highlighting the two ends of the spectrum, the Association is attempting to show that everyone’s garden helps beautify the city and has the potential to be an award-winner.

Entries for the Association’s annual Summer Competition close on 30 January.

This year’s Christchurch Beautifying Association Ellerslie exhibit will also include a photographic display highlighting the work of the Association.

The Association has been promoting the beautification of Christchurch and enhancing the Garden City image for more than 110 years. The Floral Clock in Victoria Square, the Water Wheel in the Avon and the restoration of Peacock Fountain in the Botanic Gardens are just three of the many projects completed by the Association during this time.

• 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

For further information contact:
Ellerslie International Flower Show Communications Adviser
Jan McCarthy
03 941 6412 or 027 637 7912