Christchurch-based Bush Telly wins Ellerslie

A rustic shed where the threat to New Zealand’s native biodiversity will be discussed “over a cup of tea and a bit of cake” during the next five days of the Ellerslie International Flower Show has won the Show’s Supreme Award.

The exhibit has also won the Supreme Award for Design Excellence.

The Convenor of Judges Penny Cliffin says the garden excels in many areas. “It evokes an emotional response; it is educational, entertaining and unique with a strong conservation message.”

She says it is also whimsical, engaging and inspirational with wide appeal.

“The team have handled a large four-part design so cleverly and with great attention to detail. It creates an intriguing journey which unfolds many different elements and experiences.”

Bush Telly, the Christchurch-based natural media unit of the New Zealand Ecological Restoration network (NZERN), will record 40 interviews on various conservation topics during Ellerslie to be released next month on YouTube, Google Video and DVD.

The interviews will be “a yarn with real people involved in saving New Zealand’s native plants and animals” in the Hort Galore Marquee, in the exhibit’s shed, adjoining nursery or down by the stream. Visitors to Ellerslie will be the live audience for the interviews.

Solid Energy’s Microcosms Starlight Marquee garden by Dan Rutherford won the Supreme Award for Lighting. This award recognises that lighting an exhibit can help reveal the beauty of the garden, effective lighting being an art and skill.

Convenor of the Judges for the National Lighting Awards Geoff Waller says the lighting was cohesive and an integral component for the display. “It provided an evocative and ethereal setting, the fine mist producing fine shards of moonlight which sparkled on the bubbling stream.

“The wow factor was after dark when even small amounts of sun peaking through the marquee did not have an effect on the exceptional low light levels.

“The bubbling punga stumps and lit toadstools were of great effect.”

Wellington designer Ben Hoyle’s On the Dark Side of the Moon won the Supreme Construction Award. This award recognises professional excellence in landscape construction.

All Black halfback Andy Ellis and his mate Danny Kamo from John Marsh Landscape Architects were highly commended in the Supreme Construction Award.

The Supreme Award for Horticultural Excellence was won by the Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. This was a hotly contested award with the judges awarding four highly commendeds to Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Terra Viva, Texture Plants and Avon Bonsai Society.


National Lighting Awards
Gold
Solid Energy by Dan Rutherford
Off the Wall – Tim and Hamish Prebble, Texture Plants

Silver
Wedding Garden – Karl Odell and Justin Chapman for Oderings Nurseries
Patricia Proctor Design
Seeking Shangri-La – Peter Cheok

Bronze
Out of Africa – South Canterbury Area Floral Art

Merit
The Crate Escape – Andy Ellis and Danny Kamo



Floral Art
Gold
Patricia Proctor Design
Jenny Harris

Silver Distinction
South Canterbury Area Floral Art
Marion Partridge
Shirley Russ

Silver
Impres
Thea Brown

Bronze
Ikebana International
Jan Nuttall
Natacha Maher

Merit
Tai Tapu Garden Club
Festival of Flowers
The Flower Gallery – Geraldine
Marion Mercer