ELLERSLIE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW 2009 - WE WERE THERE!

With staff, family and friends as volunteers we managed to place over 2,000 plants insitu over the course of two days.  Our Coporate Village Garden was planted with a hedging of Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' through the middle and a random placement of Astelia 'Silver Spear' and the Dahlia 'Mystic Series' with a meandering edging of Hebe 'Emerald Gem'.  It did look gorgeous, so thank you Lynn!

Meanwhile; at the Airport Cafe, a more structured planting of Coprosma 'Lobster', Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise', Carex 'Dipsacea', Euphorbia 'Kea', Viburnum davidii and Phormium 'Jester' oozed with modern courtyard charm.

So after a weekend of planting in 30 degree plus heat, the show just had to kick off with a wintery blast!  The crowds were certainly not deterred by the weather and for those hardy souls the wait was worth while.

The Dahlia 'Mystic Series' and Hebe 'Emerald Gems' were the stars in our garden.  So much so, that we were asked by the management of the show, to place plant labels in our garden as people were asking what they were!  Across the way at the Airport Cafe, our Coprosma 'Lobster' planted as a hedge prompted a closer inspection by many and more often than not just a gently touch to see if it really was prickly (this plant in wonderfully deceptive).

Our only downside to this wonderful event, was the theft of a Dahlia 'Mystic Desire' from our garden (which left a gaping hole).  Our wayward plant was last spotted trying to enter the Christchurch Cathedral for the Festival Of Flowers (and of course for free).  Aptly named, we wish our plant a happy life in the thiefs garden.  For the rest of us honest citizens that don't sink to such levels, the Dahlia Mystic Series are available at these stores.