All coming down roses

Thousands of roses are being flown in from India and Colombia to create a unique installation of suspended flowers by London artist Rebecca Law for the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular running from October 31 to November 9.

The Falling Garden will be the first installation of its kind in New Zealand and will set a benchmark for floral exhibitions, says Sydney Hansen of Hansen flower wholesalers.

While 70 per cent of the roses are being sourced locally, the remainder will come from India and Colombia.

Hemand and Anu Jalan of Zygo Flowers in Bangalore, Hansen's Indian supplier, has been so enthralled with The Falling Garden concept that they have donated more than 2500 blooms, while New Zealand suppliers, Shipherds Roses of South Auckland, and Van Liers Roses of West Auckland are also donating roses.

The imported roses will be carefully dry packed for their flight to Auckland. Once in Auckland, the roses are re-hydrated in water in preparation for being trucked to New Plymouth.

To create the installation will be a logistical exercise for Rebecca and her team of four, plus a team of more than 15 local volunteers.

Scheduled to arrive in New Plymouth on October 28, Rebecca and her team will spend three days carefully suspending the thousands of roses from the ceiling of the Alexander Room in time for an official opening on Thursday, October 30. The installation is funded by the TSB Community Trust.

Installed in the TSB Showplace's Alexandra Room for the duration of the Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular, The Falling Garden will be free to view, and open daily from 9am until 5pm.