Ellerslie Gold On A Par With Chelsea
For the first time, Ellerslie is officially an International Flower Show and continues to be the largest Flower Show in
the Southern Hemisphere, setting new standards of excellence far exceeding judges’ expectations.
“Winning a gold at Ellerslie is now on a par with winning a gold at Chelsea,” says Bob Sweet, Convenor of Judges for
Ellerslie, as well as Head of Shows Development at the Royal Horticultural Society, where he has special responsibility
for the Chelsea Flower Show. “This year the quality of the show is just so compelling. The standards achieved in
exhibition gardens and floral art in particular are head and shoulders above last year,” he explains.
This year there are also more gardens, more floral exhibits, more garden-related displays and four times more nurseries
than ever before.
“The presentation and feel of the show has improved considerably,” says Sweet. “Many displays are far more
visitor-friendly and there’s also a better use of existing water features and open spaces to create more natural views
for the public. Accessibility to displays is also better.”
“The quality of floral design presentation this year is to be particularly commended and is reflected in the choice of
Carol Laloli Floral Design winning the overall Judges’ Supreme Award,” says Sweet. “It is so intricately produced and
delicately thought through that the result is extremely moving and will be a memorable display for onlookers,” says
Sweet. Carol Laloli’s winning design features in the Twinings Floral Art Marquee where all the exhibits are a tribute to
the Year of the Veteran on the theme of ‘Remembrance”.
One of the Show’s new features - the Visique Avenue of Gold – that exhibits gardens from previous Ellerslie winners has
struck gold again for two gardens at either end of the attraction. The Garden of Native Plant Ideas by the Auckland
Botanic Gardens and the Contemporary Kiwi Garden by Ben Hoyle of Blue Gecko Garden Design are both gold medal winners.
“Both gardens showed great restraint in choice of plants and both have a distinctly New Zealand feel, with special and
unique water features. Also evident in The Garden of Native Plant Ideas was a rustic, corten steel look in their water
feature sculpture and wheelbarrow-seat; this is a great example of this design trend,” enthuses Sweet.
Ellerslie Flower Show Judges’ Supreme Award
Exhibitor: Carol Laloli Floral Design
Designer: Carol Laloli
Ellerslie Flower Show Supreme Award for Horticultural Excellence in partnership with the NGIA (Nursery and Garden
Industry Association)
Exhibitor: Blooms of Bressingham
Designer: Trina Tully, Trina Tully Landscape Design
Ellerslie Flower Show Supreme Award for Design Excellence
Exhibitor: The Incredible Edible Garden
Designer: Sue Peachey & Hannah Williamson, Landscape Design Company Ltd
Best in Show Award: Sedum ‘Ogon’
Grower: Valerie Glen
Landscape Industries Association of New Zealand (LIANZ) Award
Exhibitor: Pavlova Paradise
Designer: Lydia Reusser, Margaret Chapman, Kelvin Chua
Ellerslie Flower Show Charitable Trust Tertiary Competition
Institution: Unitech
Designer: Kevin Chua
Manukau Beautification Trust Scarecrow Competition
School: Everglade Primary
Yet to be announced are the highly anticipated Young Designer of the Year and Peoples Choice Awards which will be
revealed later this week.
Flower Show enthusiasts are being urged to buy their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment, with Saturday
November 18 tipped to become the busiest day in the Show’s history.
Alongside the thousands of Kiwis visiting the Show, there are a number of international gardening experts present and
media from all corners of the world including the BBC.
The Ellerslie International Flower Show 2006 is A Sight to Behold, with innovation, inspiration and floral delights. The
Show opens to the public tomorrow and continues to bloom until the 19 November at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Tickets
can be purchased at any Ticketek outlet, by contacting 09 307 5000 (or your local Ticketek number), via the website
www.ticketek.co.nz or at the gate.
ENDS