Laurels don’t just grow on trees. Well, they do but they’re not dished out to every garden designer, that’s for sure!
However, when judges picked winners at the NZ Flower & Garden Show recently, the top crop of designers proved their green-thumbed efforts were as good as gold.
One garden, in particular, which wowed the team at South was Country School Hideout, a gold award-winning entry from Karaka School.
Teacher, Tanya Davis – who runs the school’s Enviro Group – says the design was based on an outdoor learning space and it includes edible and sensory gardens.
“We are delighted with the gold award, it recognises huge efforts by all the students and parents involved,” she says. “They’re keen to replicate the garden back at school so that all our students can enjoy it.”
New Zealand has been without a major annual garden show since the Ellerslie Flower Show (then based in Christchurch) wowed crowds for the final time in 2014. Although this new incarnation began with a somewhat rocky start – its first show, scheduled to run last year at Bastion Point was cancelled – the NZ Flower & Garden Show now appears to have found fertile ground in Henderson.
Overall, Convenor of Judges and award-winning designer, Pascal Garbe, says entries were of a high standard.
“The range of award-winners is a testament to the strength of the New Zealand horticultural community,” he adds. “With this show, I am convinced that New Zealand will attract the attention of all garden experts around the world.”
For more details regarding this year’s winning garden designs, visit nzflowergardenshow.co.nz.
