Not content with taking the Ellerslie Flower Show from Auckland, Christchurch is now pledging to make this year's event the best and biggest in its 14-year history.
The gates will open a week from today for the first Christchurch-based Ellerslie International Flower Show, featuring more than 80 horticultural exhibits.
Managing director Dave Mee says the eventual goal is to develop the Southern Hemisphere's largest garden show into one of the top five in the world.
Christchurch bought the event in November 2007 in an effort to "reclaim and enhance Christchurch's image as the Garden City".
But Mayor Bob Parker said he also looked forward to seeing a large Auckland presence at this year's event.
"We want to have conversations with Auckland about something other than boy racers."
Mr Mee said this year's show retained many of the successful elements of the past, but also reflected the new southern location with a celebration of southern flora.
A multi-award-winning feature garden from Singapore will be one of the key attractions, while four international judges from Britain, Japan and Australia will be at the event, including leading British garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin, who selects gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show.
Among the highlights will be "The Starlight Marquee", where West meets East in a display of garden design and lighting, and the ultimate bloke's garden, promoting backyard cricket, beers and barbecues, designed by All Black halfback Andy Ellis and landscape architect Danny Kamo.
Transplanted flower show blooms
www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
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