Thousand of flowers have been planted in empty Christchurch sites to brighten up the city centre.

18 Rotary clubs from across Canterbury gathered on Saturday to plant over ten thousand flowers in Christchurch in a follow-up to last year's successful Colour-Me-Christchurch project.

Members of the Student Volunteer Army assisted hundreds of Rotary members to plant 5000 petunias and 4000 square metres of wild-flower seeds supplied by the Rotary Club.

1600 sunflowers, donated from the Ashburton Council, were also planted in the fourteen different sites chosen in an effort to brighten up the city.

The corner of Papauni Rd and Blighs Rd received a particularly bright makeover, with an 1100 square metre block of open land receiving a makeover .  

The Colour-Me-Christchurch initiative began last year when 700 hang-up flower baskets and 2000 smaller versions were assembled by the Ashburton community and distributed around the Cashel mall. 

Walter van der Kley, the Ashburton Rotarian behind the Colour-Me-Christchurch idea, said it was just another way for the community to help out Christchurch.

"We hope other communities get involved" van der Kley said, " We're just trying to spearhead it"

The Rotary Club has donated more than $3m to Canterbury schools, community groups and causes to help Christchurch overcome earthquake-related obstacles.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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