KEY POINTS:
The Ellerslie International Flower Show was a "huge success", despite Saturday's lousy weather and a smaller-than-expected attendance.
About 60,000 people attended the five-day outdoor show held at the Botanic Gardens in Manurewa.
The show, which closed yesterday, didn't attract the expected numbers, but managing director Dave Mee said it had been the best one ever.
"The weather was diabolical on Saturday but we still had about 10,000 people to the show, which is still good. Normally on a Saturday we would get about 16,000."
He said around 10,000 people had attended yesterday, which was higher than usual for a Sunday.
"We probably would have had higher numbers if the weather had been better, but you can't control the weather, so you can't get unhappy about it."
The show, which is in its 12th year, features the best of New Zealand's horticultural, floral and landscape design.
Mr Mee said this year's show, which had been expected to attract about 70,000 people, had seen a "massive" step up in the quality of the gardens.
"This year we had more gardens and of a higher quality and public feedback has been very positive."
A crowd favourite included the re-creation of the 100% Pure New Zealand Garden by Xanthe White, which claimed a Silver Gilt award at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
"We think this year has been the best year," Mr Mee said.
"We've had so many people from within the horticulture industry who have been to all 12 shows, who are saying it's been the best.
"It's been a fantastic show."
