Garden designer Carl Pickens is asking all Kiwis a simple question: “What can we do to make the world a better place?”
The sustainable landscape architect and organic horticulturalist needs at least 2000 responses to his question by the end of January to help create his exhibition garden for the Ellerslie International Flower Show in March.
Details of the garden design are being kept under wraps until the show. But everyone who responds will find their answer “embedded in the design”, says Carl, who wants all New Zealanders to go online at
www.oneearthmatters.co.nz and take a few minutes responding to his Ellerslie question.
“As a human race, we seem to be at a tipping point where if we continue the way we are, our very existence and experience of life on Earth is under threat,” he says. “To make the world a better place, the answers have to come from all of us. Everyone has something to offer.”
Carl has been inspired to create a garden which invites everyone to share their ideas for building a better world. The 2010 exhibit will be built using the same sustainable principles within a contemporary setting, which won him gold at last year’s show.
• Budding photographers can also aim to have their work exhibited at the Ellerslie Flower Show in a floral photo contest. Kiwis are invited to enter the Great Ellerslie Photo Competition, presented by The Fusion Trust.
Carolyn Green, of the trust, says the competition is all about encouraging photographers to “think outside the square” with their images.
“We want people to use flowers as a theme, and show some flair and imagination in the way they capture images of flowers,” she says. “The theme ‘focus on flowers’ includes everything relating to flowers, from flowers in the garden to those at such events as Anzac Day and weddings, in cemeteries, worn in the hair and used in children’s play, like the making of daisy chains.”
Dave Mee, managing director of the flower show, says the contest is just another way the event celebrates flowers.
“We have many talented amateur and professional photographers in New Zealand and this competition enables them to capture images which highlight this country’s love of gardening and flowers.”
Entries will be judged in two categories – under 18 years and open. There are some great prizes, including a $500 digital camera. The closing date for entries is February 12 and the best photos received and the winners’ entries will be displayed for five days at the show in North Hagley Park, Christchurch, from March 10-14. The images will be seen by thousands of national and international visitors.
