Ellerslie gardens impress judges

Christchurch's Botanic Gardens have won the supreme award at the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

The creation, Pictures of Life and Death, focuses on the cycle of life and natural decay using moss, fungi and lichen.

The garden also features fake lightning and dramatic sound effects. Lead designer, botanical services operations team manager, Jeremy Hawker, has entered the show for three year's running and was part of the team which won a Silver Distinction in last year's show.

He said part of his inspiration came from seeing some mould in the bottom of a coffee cup.;

An Englishman's retreat, a traditional zen garden and a rugby player's statement on how humans impact on the environment have all earned gold medals at the Ellerslie International Flower Show.

Internationally-acclaimed English garden designer Chris Bearshaw's An Englishman's Retreat, award-winning Japanese designer Koji Ninomiya's Sei Sei Tei II and The Last Laugh by Andy Ellis and Danny Kamo were all named gold medal-winning exhibition gardens this afternoon.

Judges said the quality of exhibition gardens at Ellerslie had improved this year, and that the overall standard made it a tough competition for all the medals.

The Convenor of Judges Robert Hillier from England said the show was "brilliant''.

He said Beardshaw's exhibition garden was "perfection in terms of detail and finish''.

"Koji's western Japanese garden is the best garden I have seen him design,'' he said.

He praised Andy Ellis and Danny Kamo, saying the concept and delivery of their garden was "amazing''.

To see videos of all the exhibition gardens, click here.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens won a gold medal for their entry to the Starlight Marquee division, by showing how lighting can extend enjoyment of a garden after dark.

The Stratford Garden Club and the New Zealand Alpine Garden Society both took gold medals for their entries in the Hort Galore Marquee section, and the Ikebana International Ikenobo School won gold in the Floral Art Marquee.

Rangiora mum and first-time competitor Wendy-Lee Renner won the Great Ellerslie Photo Competition, with her photo Magnolia Mist that she snapped in her garden. Renner was inspired to enter the event after seeing the photographs at last year's show.

Northland student Katie Hilford was named Ellerslie International Flower Show Student Designer of the Year for a small courtyard garden suitable for a town house. Her design used sustainable home and garden practices while maximising on space.

The National Flower Bed category was won by Akaroa and the Bays for its floral tribute to the Akaroa lighthouse. It is the second year in a row the seaside village has won this category.

Full list of awards:

Exhibition Gardens

Gold

An Englishman's Retreat - Chris Beardshaw
Sei Sei Tei II- Koji Ninomiya
The Last Laugh - Andy Ellis and Danny Kamo

Silver Distinction

Incredible Edibles - Sandi MacRae
Sustainability with Style - Soil and Health Canterbury and The Good Gardeners' Association Christchurch
Peace by Piece - Carl Pickens

Silver

Finding Solace in the Sky - Cameron Cameron McLean, Desmond Stock and Gareth Ford
Four Play - Emily Kelly, Joshua Hunt, Myles Rabbidge and Megan Inder

Bronze

My Little Corner of the World - Mat Ransom and Matt McIsaac
Jungle Fever - Scotty Fletcher, Zisk Design
Tohunga's Garden - Malcolm McBride, Letz Go Native
Te Waipounamu Garden - Nik Kneale, Huia Reriti and Nathan Pohio

Merit

0800 Pool Hire - Craig Pocock Design
Ellegance - Mark Hutching, Allwood Trees

Retail Garden

Bronze

Play Matters - Christchurch City Council

Merit

Kinetics of Stone - Timothy Mark

Starlight Marquee

Gold

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Bronze

Bush Telly
An Icy Oasis - Dan Rutherford

Hort Galore Marquee

Gold

Stratford Garden Club
NZ Alpine Garden Society

Silver

Christchurch Bird Club
Cashmere Garden Club

Bronze

Christchurch Beautifying Society
Fendalton and Mount Pleasant Garden Club
Forest and Bird

Merit

Christchurch Chrysanthemum Circle
Avonhead Garden Club

Floral Art Marquee

Gold

Ikebana International Ikenobo School
Avon Floral Art
Jenny Harris

Silver Distinction

Ikebana International Ichiyo School
Ikebana International Sogetsu School
North Otago Floral Art Group
Heather Sibley
Erin Brown

Silver

Gislinde Folkerts
Blooming Fabulous
Jan Nuttall

Bronze

Patricia Proctor Design
Joy Flora Florist for Christchurch Garden Trust
Timaru Floral Art Group
Carousel Floral
MK Design Ltd
Marion Mercer
Annette Waller

Merit

Floral Art North Canterbury

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