Dunedin Botanic Garden collections supervisor Barbara Wheeler said yesterday’s event began with a bang.
"It’s been chaos since about 8am," she said.
"It’s been a fantastic day, brilliant weather for it and people have come out in their droves."
President of the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden Anne Poulter was similarly taken aback.
"We just got bombarded first thing," she said.
"Just chocker with people."
The event was timed to coincide with the blooming of the rhododendrons and the coming of spring.
Poppies and pansies proved most popular with the hundreds of people who visited the gardens, Mrs Wheeler said.
And there were plenty of exotic specimens on sale too.
"People just love buying plants you wouldn’t normally buy in garden centres," she said.
"You can pick up some rare treasures throughout these stalls, and for a good price."
It was not just horticulture on display. Cheese and sculpture were on offer, as well as the smooth sounds of a jazz trio.
