Show debut a colour splash

Lansdowne Nurseries will be part of the Ellerslie International Flower Show 2013 for the first time after they were approached by show sponsors.

Owners Paul Foster and Marilyn Hunt are excited to be supplying flowers for the show next month.

Ms Hunt said they were approached by Egmont Seed Company, one of the sponsors, to grow the flowers for display.

She said they are one of the company's biggest customers.

This is the first time they have been asked to be involved and they have enjoyed the experience so far.

"I love doing the baskets and putting them together," said Ms Hunt.

"I just love the colour combination of these ... the colours are just amazing."

She was excited to be part of the show and hoped more people would take an interest in growing flowers.

"The Ellerslie Flower Show is all about trying to encourage people to go back to gardening and to use flowers again because lots of gardens have become very easy-care and they don't use a lot of flowers."

The nursery has supplied 50 hanging baskets and 40 colour bowls of flowers to the show.

The Ellerslie Flower Show will be held from March 6 to 10, at Hagley Park North, Christchurch, and the Masterton couple will be there.