Black comments made about greenness of NZ exhibit

Tecomanthe speciosa is one of the rare New Zealand plants on show at Chelsea.

Two British politicians have questioned the greenness of the New Zealand garden to be displayed at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show later this month.

Tourism New Zealand has imported 950 plants, including some rare and endangered species, for its 100 per cent Pure New Zealand Garden, angering Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker MP and Green Party London Assembly member Darren Johnson.

Mr Johnson said importing plants from New Zealand for a tourism promotion was "appalling".

"There are better ways of promoting tourism than flying plants out for a five-day show," he said.

"They are endangered plant species as well, and that's totally unacceptable. It would be far more appropriate to build up those collections and safeguard their future in New Zealand."

Mr Baker said the more that material was transported around the world for invalid reasons, the more people contributed to climate change.

"If this is a precursor to a substantial import drive for flowers and plants from New Zealand, I'd find that questionable environmentally and detrimental to our own industry," he said.

"I'd be happy if the New Zealanders are providing plants for breeding and cross-fertilisation. But if we're anticipating a big drive of flowers and plants from the fields and nurseries of New Zealand, that's a different matter altogether."

Several rare and endangered coastal species never seen before in the UK are part of the garden.

They spent nine weeks in quarantine before being repotted in fumigated potting mix.

The outcry by the politicians concerns only three endangered plant species: elingamita johnsonii, tecomanthe speciosa, and pittosporum obcordatum.

Barry Eddington, Tourism NZ's regional manager for UK/Europe, said the body was not in the business of selling plants and the imports were not for commercial propagation.

He said Chelsea provided an opportunity to showcase the country's flora and to encourage horticulture enthusiasts to visit New Zealand.

"The Chelsea Flower Show is important, but bringing these rare and endangered plants to the UK is actually more important for horticulture because it helps to ensure the protection and propagation of these rare species.

"All of the plants we've imported from New Zealand will remain in collections in the UK after the show, with the majority going to the RHS [Royal Horticultural Society] garden at Wisley."

The garden's designer, Xanthe White, said all the plants were endangered in their natural environment, "but have solid numbers in New Zealand nurseries, so survival of these species can be dependent on propagation through horticulture".

Tourism NZ's head office said controversy over gardens at Chelsea was nothing new and the coverage the story was receiving in British newspapers was welcomed by the organisation.

"From our perspective, we're absolutely delighted," said spokeswoman Cas Carter. "Publicity before our garden is just about to be shown couldn't be better for us."

Ms Carter said the three species were all wild plants that became endangered after goats ate them.

"And the goats came from the UK."

Tourism New Zealand debuted at the Chelsea in 2004, with its gold medal winning "100 Percent Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Well-Being". It was a hit with visitors who queued to see its steaming mineral pools, Maori carvings and rare and unusual New Zealand plants.

The entry for this year's show, from May 23-27, "explores the symbiotic relationship between the natural landscape and contemporary design in New Zealand's burgeoning arts culture".

RARE TREATS

Elingamita johnsonii
A rare and endangered small tree found only on the West Island of the Three Kings Islands. It has bunches of cardinal red berries encircled by broad leaves similar to karaka. The plant's name was dedicated to Major Magnus Johnson, who discovered it on an exploration of the islands. The generic name commemorates the 1902 wreck of the passenger steamer Elingamite, beneath the cliffs where the tree grows.

Tecomanthe speciosa
Sometimes known as the "Three Kings Climber", the plant was rescued from the brink of extinction. In 1946, botanists found one specimen surviving in the Three Kings Island, and the plants in New Zealand gardens today are descended from this single specimen. It is a climber with glossy green leaves and clusters of creamy tubular flowers. It thrives on rich, moist soil.

Pittosporum obcordatum
The shrub used to occur naturally only on two known sites in New Zealand. One was the Huramua Reserve in Hawkes Bay, where only the very centre was weed-free. This area has been fenced and undisturbed since the 1930s, when it was protected for the believed rarity of its habitats. The shrub is now known to occur from as far north as Kaitaia to as far south as Lake Manapouri. One of the main threats is out-competition by weeds.

- NZPA