Students compete for Designer of the Year title

Nine students from throughout New Zealand are getting ready to compete for the Emerging Designer of the Year at Ellerslie International Flower Show later this month.

Sponsored by Lexus, this year’s competition has drawn entries from Auckland, Hamilton and Canterbury. Open to all students of landscape, design and horticulture, the brief is to create a garden for a migrant couple that reflects their home country and shows an international design influence.

For Alisa Halford, the competition offers the chance to demonstrate what she has learned since giving up a career in graphic design to study landscape design at Unitec in Auckland.

“My career so far has been about design and colour – and I’m planning a vibrant Moorish-inspired garden for Ellerslie.”

The influence of the classic North African and South Mediterranean design style is reflected in blue painted walls, geometric paving and a water feature, but with a kiwi twist. Alisa’s garden also features fragrant herbs, citrus plants, ferns and roses and promises to be a sensory delight.

While all the emerging designers are chasing success as they showcase their skills, Alisa’s studies are also motivated by her desire to return home and help her parents.

“The next step for me is going back to the Manawatu to help Mum and Dad, and to set up concept gardens at their peony and iris nursery in Rangiotu. They’ve got stunning gardens that are home to more than 300 varieties of peonies and more than 200 types of iris.”

Ellerslie has been a springboard to international success for Wellington designer Bayley LuuTomes. After winning the Emerging Designer of the Year at Ellerslie in March 2013, Bayley went on to win medals at Hampton Court Flower Show in the United Kingdom and the Gardening World Cup in Japan.

“It’s been amazing to combine my creativity with my love of gardening and have it take me all over the world,” says Bayley, who is returning to Ellerslie this year with a major garden.