Sally Brown's Passion took two top awards this year but the judges could only give it silver. In fact, the Supreme Award winner has never been the People's Choice in Christchurch. Photos by Gillian Vine. : Ellerslie blooms and dies

A giant fabric lotus featured in Ben Hoyle's She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not, a 2012 gold award winner and that year's People's Choice. : Ellerslie blooms and dies

Emerging designers, like Jordan Hampson, whose design for this Mexican-themed garden was top in 2014, will be the losers. : Ellerslie blooms and dies

Gardeners complain that exhibits such as 1914, shown at Ellerslie this year, fail to inspire. : Ellerslie blooms and dies

The six school gardens at Ellerslie this year were a high point. Christchurch South Intermediate staged this one, Interpreting Mondrian. : Ellerslie blooms and dies

Gardeners want inspiration, like this clever fence at the Chelsea Flower Show in May. Photo by RHS. : Ellerslie blooms and dies