"An Englishman's Retreat", which won gold for English garden designer Chris Beardshaw, was described by convener of judges Robert Hillier as "perfection" in terms of detail and finish. Photos by Gillian Vine.
"The Last Laugh", the Ellerslie gold-medal garden created by All Black Andy Ellis and his friend Danny Kamo, of John Marsh Landscape Architects. The garden is a serious statement about the impact of humans on the environment and on natural resources.
Detail of "Glimpse into a Galaxy", Timaru Festival of Roses' floral entry, which won a merit award at Ellerslie.
Designer Carl Pickens said it took 1664 bottles to create "Peace by Peace", which won silver at Ellerslie.
Hollie Hollander takes the high ground to water a plant-covered replica of Akaroa Head lighthouse, the town's gold-medal winner in the national flowerbed competition at Ellerslie.
A grassy mower man and a flower-decked mobile garden teamed up to entertain visitors to the garden party on Tuesday.
Tokyo-based designer Koji Nimomiya won gold for this Western Japanese garden, "Sei Sei Tei II", which judge Jim Fogarty, of Australia, described as amazing.
"Finding Solace in the Sky" was a silver award winner at Ellerslie. It also won a lighting award.
Gillian Vine reports from the Ellerslie Flower Show, in Christchurch.
Three gold medals and an overall lift in the standard of exhibits, particularly floral displays, again justify the move of the Ellerslie International Flower Show to Christchurch.
Efforts to reduce queues, improved signage and more food and beverage outlets, demonstrate that organisers have listened to public feedback, while the presence this year of more retailers of plants and garden-related products shows greater industry faith in the event.
The show opened on Wednesday and runs until Sunday.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens won the Judges Supreme Award with a garden of fungi, mould and lichen on show in a dimly-lit marquee.
