1st March 2010
Colourful perennials make a comeback in the garden
The economic recession has homeowners ripping out their grasses and textured plants and replanting their gardens with bright-coloured flowering perennials, says Trents Nursery Manager Kerrynn Reynish.
“There has been a big swing back to colour in the garden in the last 12 months, the recession having created the need to return to the comfort blanket of a familiar, prosperous past.
“This is also seen the return of many heritage plants, renowned for their resilient characteristics.”
She says the trends coming through from Europe and the United States are bold reds, yellows, pinks, oranges and purples – “colour always helps when times are a bit gloomy”.
Trents, a specialist nation-wide supplier of perennials, is the main sponsor for this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show international garden being designed by multi award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw.
The Prebbleton wholesale nursery is growing more than 4000 of the plants for Beardshaw’s garden which will be the biggest exhibition garden in Ellerslie’s 15-year history.
Kerrynn says Chris’s garden will feature a number of new season’s plant releases, such as Gazania Vesuvius, Gazania Sahara, Echinacea Hope, Alstroemeria Purpure, Osleospermum Daydream and Delphinium Sweet Sensation.
“Most of these new releases are vibrant oranges, yellows and purples, reflecting the new garden trend. Chris’s garden will show that you can have a successful cottage garden.”
Trents has partnered with Ellerslie this year to raise public awareness about perennials and how you can “make quite a spectacular garden” out of flowering plants.
“There is so much you can do with colour in the garden; the rewards are large for such a small investment.”
Kerrynn says as many people don’t have the same disposable income, they are spending more time at home and want a garden they can live in and enjoy.
The home gardening revolution began with the revival of the veggie garden two years ago, when homeowners began “growing a few broccoli and silverbeet plants”.
“The return to growing flowers is part of this revival,” she says.
“Ellerslie is an important event for Christchurch and New Zealand as it is not only helps to promote the horticultural industry on an international stage but also inspires a new generation of gardeners that ensures gardening does not become a lost art.”
• Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. The Show celebrates Christchurch’s Garden City heritage and the best of national and international garden design. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
Pictured: Two of the new season’s plant releases Gazania Sahara (top) and Echinacea Hope to be featured in the garden by multi award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw.
For further information contact:
Ellerslie International Flower Show Communications Adviser
Jan McCarthy
03 941 6412 or 027 637 791
