1 August 2005

Ellerslie Flower Show releases sneak preview of floral highlights for 2005

This year’s Ellerslie Flower Show will see a spectacular return of the best in flower design from New Zealand and overseas, with more floral attractions then ever before.

The show is getting back to its grass roots this year with Horticultural Clubs, Nurseries, Floral Art Clubs and the Northern Flower Grower Association all having a major presence at the show.

Thousands of flowers will be showcased, making up a variety of beautiful and stunning floral displays.  The major highlights for 2005 will be released later in August but with so much to talk about, the Ellerslie Flower Show organisers have released a sneak preview of this year’s floral elements.

Inspirational Floral Art Guru
International floral art expert Richard Go will be a key presenter at the show’s NZ Gardener Speaker Series. Richard is an award winning international designer, floral consultant, wedding and functions coordinator as well as a Botanical Architect by trade.

Richard spends most of his time sharing his floristry knowledge and skills not only in Australia but also globally, holding demonstrations and creating designs for high profile events in the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Japan and Germany.  He is one of only six floral designers in Australia that hold a diploma in floristry and is a dedicated member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), Flower Design Australia (FDA), the New Zealand Professional Florists (NZPF) and the World Flower Council (WFC).

Catch the wedding bouquet!
In a must-see for brides and grooms, anyone involved in upcoming nuptials or those who just love weddings, the Floral Art Marquee will be themed Contemporary Weddings.  Developed in consultation with Floral Art clubs around New Zealand, the marquee will be awash with the most beautiful and impressive wedding flower designs available in New Zealand.

Rare Singapore Orchids
64sqm of beautiful, rare orchids from Singapore and South East Asia will be on show in New Zealand at this year’s Floral Art marquee.  The orchid display will be created by a, yet to be revealed, award winning floral designer!

International floral flavours
This year’s Twinings Floral Art Marquee will be full of colour and international flavour, with a presence from many parts of the world, including Singapore, Fiji, Australia and Japan, bringing the floral community together.  The exhibitors from Japan will include two groups of students and their tutors, strengthening the Twinings Floral Art Marquee’s commitment to floral education.

“The Twinings Floral Art Marquee provides a showcase for the work of amateur and professional florists from both New Zealand clubs and societies and those abroad,” says Nancy Murphy, Chairman of Auckland Floral Art Society and convenor of judges in the Twinings Floral Art Marquee at the 2005 Ellerslie Flower Show. “Auckland Floral Art Society is thrilled to have a presence at this year’s show.  It’s a great opportunity to bring our work to the public and we are pleased to be working together with the Ellerslie Flower Show to promote floral art.”

“We welcome the opportunity to host visitors from international floral clubs at this year’s Ellerslie Flower Show and look forward to their arrival in November.  The international flavour and focus of this year’s Twinings Floral Art Marquee will provide a real benchmark for New Zealand floral clubs, whilst displaying the talents of both national and international florists and encouraging the sharing of knowledge and expertise,” says Pete Cox, Ellerslie Flower Show general manager.

The Ellerslie Flower Show 2005 – Like Never Before – will feature new innovations and more flowers, plants and designs than any other garden show in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be held from 16–20 November 2005 at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.