The Essential A to Z Ellerslie Guide

A – is for All Black and Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis, who is swapping his rugby boots for gumboots and creating one of the Show’s exhibition gardens with his mate Danny Kamo. Ellis is not only a star on the rugby field but also in the garden being in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.

B – is for the Best of British, as in Andrew Fisher Tomlin, one of the United Kingdom’s leading garden designers who is coming to Ellerslie to see the inspiration behind the exhibition gardens in the country which he claims has “the best natural landscape in the world”. He will deliver a series of lectures as part of the New Zealand Gardener Speaker Series. 

C – is for Country Living Marquee, as in the Marquee which is a little slice of heaven for those who love to shop! Specialising in cottage and country crafts – with a garden-related theme of course – this is the place to buy inspirational gifts for family, friends and yourself for the house and garden.

D – is for Design, as in the free gardening and landscape design advice you will learn from the range of experts presenting hour-long talks as part of the New Zealand Gardener speaker series. From incredible edibles and British garden trends to growing your own and tricks of the trade, this is where you get the insider’s guide to better gardening.

E – is for Exhibition Gardens, as in the 25 gardens on display by talented New Zealand landscape designers which will offer home owners loads of fresh and exciting new ideas for their own garden. It is these gardens which will set the fashion trends for 2010.

F – is for Flowers, Flowers, and Flowers as in what the Ellerslie International Flower Show is all about! Colour, texture and fragrance – whatever is your favourite flower you are guaranteed to find some of the best examples at Ellerslie.

G – is for the Great Ellerslie Photographic Competition, as in the best images New Zealanders have captured of their favourite garden scene, whether their own garden or a borrowed landscape. The winning and best entries will be on display.

H – is for Hort Galore Marquee, as in the marquee where the grassroots of Ellerslie – garden clubs and societies – showcase their rare, interesting and special plants. This is a must visit for everyone to the Show.

I – is for International garden designer Peter Cheok who continues the tradition of Ellerslie having influential international garden designers showcasing their award-winning gardens in New Zealand to inspire local design. Peter brings to Ellerslie Seeking Shangri-La, a fantasy garden with a serious environmental message.

J – is for Judges, as in the experts who get to name the best floral, gardening, landscape, horticultural; and retail exhibits. Convenor of Judges Penny Cliffin of Auckland is joined by a stellar list of New Zealand and international judges, including Jim Fogarty from Australia and Japan’s Koji Ninomiya.

K – is for the Kitchen, as in the Fisher & Paykel Cooking Demonstrations Stage where you get to learn how to create the latest healthy, nutritious and fashionable food for your family using fresh seasonal produce. You will be inspired by the mouth-watering dishes created by these award-winning chefs.

L – is for Lifestyle Marquee, as in where Countdown Woolworths brings to the thousands of visitors to Ellerslie the latest food products. Wander through the marquee, take time to learn about new food trends, what new food and beverage products are coming on to the market and tempt your tastebuds.

M – is for Medals, as in the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the gardens which display innovation, excellence in design and set the trends of 2010. These coveted medals are widely recognised in the design and horticultural community.

N – is for National Flower Bed Competition, as in the competition where New Zealand cities and districts compete for the title of best flower bed. Christchurch’s Garden City pride is at stake, being the winner of the inaugural competition in 2007. Neighbouring communities of Waimakariri, Akaroa and Ashburton have taken up the challenge to attempt to wrestle the title from the Garden City.

O – is for Ohinetahi and Otahuna, as in two of Canterbury’s award-winning and nationally significant gardens which can be visited as part of the official Ellerslie Garden Tours programme. Choose from half-day city tours to full-day country outings – you will be inspired by the creativity and sheer beauty of these stunning gardens.

P – is for Premier Garden Party, as in Christchurch’s first social event of 2009 – raising funds for the New Zealand Cancer Society – to celebrate the opening of the Show. Wander among the gardens, sipping bubbles and nibbling canapés while enjoying live jazz and light classical music and waiting for the award-winning gardens to be announced.

Q – is for both quirky and quality, as in the works of art on display as part of the An Eye for Sculpture exhibition. Take a stroll around Lake Albert on the north-western perimeter of the Show and indulge your passion for art. Set among native plantings, these large-scale works by some of New Zealand’s best sculptors will be framed by the natural beauty of North Hagley Park.

R – is for Road to Ellerslie – in the Garden City, as in the television show which has been keeping us all up-to-date during the last few weeks with the development of Show. Saturdays at 9.30am on TV1 stay tuned until 21 March.

S – is for Starlight Marquee, as in where West meets East in a spectacular display focused on the latest in lighting innovation and design for the outdoors. These exhibits show how effective garden lighting can extend the enjoyment of your garden into the twilight hours.

T – is for Taste of the South, as in where you can indulge in the finest foods and wine from throughout the South Island, prepared by some of Canterbury’s best chefs. It’s worth just visiting to sample the first ever Ellerslie cocktail – it’s already a winner!

U – is for unlimited, as in the ideas you will glean from the Ellerslie International Flower Show for your own home and garden. With more than 80 horticultural exhibits, it is a floral and gardening extravaganza to stimulate all the senses.

V – is for vegetables, as in the hottest trend in garden design. There will be plenty of inspiration for home gardeners to learn inspirational and innovation ways to ensure even the smallest garden is packed with incredible edibles. Ellerslie is not just about flowers!

W – is for Wearable Weeds, as in Christchurch costume and fabric artist Jenny Gillies’ floral weeds collection to entertain and educate. Her thrice daily fashion shows are sure to court a little controversy in the dome.

X – is for excitement (well, almost), as in what visitors to Christchurch’s first Ellerslie International Flower Show will feel when they walk through the gates. This is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest garden show and Christchurch plans to make it one of the top five garden shows in the world. Visitors are guaranteed to be inspired!

Y – is for yellow, as in one of the autumnal shades the magnificent trees framing North Hagley Park – venue for the Show – will be turning when Christchurch hosts the Ellerslie International Flower Show. Make time to stroll through the Park and Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens and enjoy one of the most spectacular times in the Garden City.

Z – is for zero, as in sustainability - the buzzword which permeates flower shows these days and the Ellerslie International Flower Show is no different. Sustainability is a key theme with exhibition gardens promoting the benefits of waterwise planting, water recycling, intelligent use of water, low-energy gardens and restoring the soil’s important nutrients.

• 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 28 exhibition gardens, with loads of fresh and exciting ideas for every garden. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz