Earthquake tribute at Ellerslie
Ellerslie and earthquake are synonymous words for garden designer Ben Hoyle.
Ben was building his garden in Hagley Park, Christchurch in preparation for the 2011 Ellerslie International Flower Show when the earthquake struck on 22 February.
“I remember the roaring sound and seeing the huge trees just shaking,” says Ben, 36, reflecting on his experience.
“For me there is an intrinsic connection between Ellerslie and the earthquake. Being here when it happened, seeing people come together and use the green space as a sanctuary and refuge gave me inspiration for this year’s garden.”
Titled Under my Umbrella, Ben’s 2014 Ellerslie feature garden uses plants, colour and structure to create a strong human element focus.
“Under my Umbrella is both a sanctuary of reflection and remembrance for those lost in the earthquake and a celebration of the strong community spirit and unity shown during difficult times.”
“It’s emotive, thought-provoking and a little bit whimsical, a way of reflecting on where we were and where we’ve come. Essentially for me it’s a reflection of my own experiences, observations and emotions that occurred during the dramatic events of the February earthquake.”
A five-time Ellerslie gold medal winner, Ben has spent the last six months working on the garden’s design, with construction starting earlier this month.
Central to the garden is a canopy of 35 handmade parasols, individually patterned and coloured to represent unique individuals working together as one. Reaching four metres in height the canopy drifts above a water tree sculpture, containing 185 hand carved leaves -- one for each person lost in the February quake.
Surrounding the canopy is a circular 2.4 metre high green wall, containing more than 650 plants in steel boxes. Breaks in the wall create windows, giving visitors select views to the tree sculpture inside.
Careful thought has gone into the placement and selection of the garden’s plants, visually creating two distinct styles to echo the changing moods.
“Outside the walls there’s colourful wildflower plantings creating a vibrant atmosphere while inside moves into a more serene, tranquil feeling with taller and darker plants reflecting this emotional shift,” says Ben.
Visitors are encouraged to rest and linger in the garden, with soft beanbag seating scattered throughout the secluded woodland setting.
An Ellerslie veteran, Ben first entered the show in 1998, taking home a silver medal. His 2012 garden “She Loves Me She Loves Me Not”, inspired by the Christchurch rebuild, was a crowd favourite taking out the Yates People’s Choice Award
While Ben admits winning the coveted title of Best in Show “would be nice”, he is just as excited about seeing his garden brought to life.
“At the moment it’s just components in my head and on the ground but seeing it once it’s all finished will be such an exciting and rewarding feeling. I’m really looking forward to this year’s show.”
Under my Umbrella is one of 16 major gardens in Ellerslie 2014, twice as many as last year and more than ever before.