Ellerslie 2012 Show build-up gets into full swing

The build-up for the 2012 Ellerslie International Flower Show got into full swing at Christchurch’s North Hagley Park this morning (13 February) with the designers of the display gardens moving on site to begin work building their gardens.

The designers have just three weeks to complete their gardens for judging which gets underway at noon on Monday 5 March.

Ellerslie International Flower Show Managing Director Dave Mee says up to 200 people will be on site during the next week with numbers building to about 1000 in the days leading up to the public opening of the 16th Ellerslie International Flower Show on Wednesday 7 March.

“This year’s Show is all about flowers, colour and design. With almost 90 horticultural exhibits and a quarter of a million flowers, there will be plenty to see during the five-day show.

“There is the international award-winning garden from Singapore; the four gardens by previous gold medal winners at Ellerslie; Jenny Gillies’ fabulous Wonderland of Wearable Flowers; the old-fashioned flowers taking to the catwalk in the Floral Art Marquee; the strong North Island contenders to take out the National Flower Bed Competition; the 2010 Supreme Award winners' abandoned film set from a B grade adventure movie exhibit in the Hort Galore Marquee; and the gardens by New Zealand’s next generation of designers,” he says.

“With the creativity, innovation and diversity of gardens and exhibits being created on site, this year’s show is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the history of Ellerslie.”

Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, from 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information and tickets visit www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz