Garden design hits turbulence

Globalisation and its consequences have reached our gardens. Futuregardenarama, winner at the Stratford Garden Design Expo has explored the idea that the region's distinctiveness was in danger of being dominated by global culture.
On show at Hathaway House until Sunday, Futregardenarama whipped up a storm of controversy with its first placing.
Richard Bain Landscape Architects' installation, Futuregardenarama, of a brightly orange painted corrugated iron shed adorned with The $2 Shop plastic flowers from China, shakes with canned laughter.
Richard said the fallout from the judging had opened up good debate.
"The history of garden design is well-documented. This week there will be more people who go to The Warehouse and buy their products."
Gardens are about people too, Richard said.
Alice Cullen added that their installation questions what could happen in our gardens.
And the canned laughter?
According to their explanation, Futuregardenarama is a reminder that our culture is increasingly expressed as short sound bites dictated by the needs of globalisation.
Taranaki garden designers were invited to create their designs, and five took up the challenge to show their concept of the Celebrating Taranaki Garden Heritage theme.
Commissioned by TAFT to work on his urban garden project at New Plymouth French architect and founding member of L'Atelier, Bruno Marmiroli, judged the Stratford expo garden designs.
The winners receive airfares and accommodation for two to the Melbourne Flower Show.
Central Taranaki Tourism Network (CTTN) and the Stratford Business Association organised the 10-day event, which finishes this weekend.
CTTN coordinator Peter Mischefski said the organisers stand by Bruno's decision.
"If people want to express their view on which garden design they prefer, they still have the People's Choice which will be tallied at the end of the weekend."