The gates open tomorrow (10 March) for the 2010 Ellerslie International Flower Show, New Zealand’s premier annual gardening event, which promises to be a real show-stopper with almost 100 horticultural exhibits, including more than 30 display gardens.

Show Managing Director Dave Mee says the thousands of visitors will be treated to the biggest and best show in its 15-year history.

“For the first time Ellerslie will have two international feature gardens by multi award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw from England and international award-winning Japanese designer Koji Ninomiya. They headline a stellar list of garden designers at this year’s Show.

Mr Mee says Chris Beardshaw’s magnificent An Englishman’s Retreat garden will have almost 10,000 plants, including 4500 annuals and 3000 herbaceous plants, with loads of colour and plenty of fragrance, making it a real feast for all the senses, while Koji Ninomiya’s traditional Japanese garden will be a striking contrast.

Christchurch bought New Zealand’s premier garden event in November 2007 to reclaim and enhance Christchurch’s image as the Garden City and to develop Ellerslie into one of the world’s most prestigious garden shows.

Mr Mee says Ellerslie is well recognised as a prestigious event on the international calendar of flower shows, evident with the large contingent of international media, horticultural experts and visitors attending this year’s show.

Find out more a www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz