Size, sound and colour rule at Ellerslie

By NEIL ROSS

Big isn't always best, but sometimes it helps, and at Ellerslie this year, there's a definite feeling of bravado and confidence.

Gone (well, almost) are the trinkly cottage gardens of our European heritage. There is one shaky attempt at a hobbit hole, but in general, designers seem to have nailed down a more original and exciting homegrown style.

Event director Cath Handley should feel well-relieved that things have come together so well for this celebration of a decade for New Zealand's largest and best-loved garden event.

In his well-touted Celebration Garden, Hamilton designer Murray Lye nicely illustrates the journey in garden design from our European roots to cutting-edge Pacific Rim. Even Hercules would feel dwarfed under Lye's inflated welcoming arch.

Past canals lined with images of previous Ellerslie successes, Lye's vision ends at an impressive series of copper-walled cascades. He wanted the sound of celebratory applause to fill the place and has used flaps of hinged copper which let the moving water jostle them to get the effect.

Sound seems to have been something many designers have used, from a bromeliad garden immersed in frog calls to the Phonak Hearing Systems' Soundscape Garden, which pumps out all manner of weird and wonderful noises, including a live orchestra.

Natural products are always popular and this year a lot of beautiful South Island schist is on show but generally there's a move toward greater sophistication outside, which means that gone is the humble barbecue, and in with the complete outdoor kitchen.

Lighting is another growing passion and reflecting its popularity, all show gardens are specially lit for the two twilight openings, Friday and Saturday. You can cast shadows on a stucco wall but on the night it might well be the 200-year-old, flood-lit totara that steals the show.

Other highlights to watch for:

* Children's gardens always hit the right chord with the public. Although the Manukau City Council has opted for a bold industrial look, staff at the Auckland Regional Council strike gold with a much more homely affair featuring a strong indigenous flavour and superb ponga tunnels by designer Jill Rice.

* As well as exuberance, there is still plenty for those lovers of restful pared-down design, and it doesn't come any simpler than Paul Whittaker, who has turned in surely the most courageous design at the show - a simple grass-lined cubicle with a peep-hole to see inside. As with all good art, it will no doubt leave some visitors inspired and others bewildered.

* The Flixonase Low-allergen Garden: Xanthe White, of TVNZ's Ultimate Garden, has crafted three clever courtyards showcasing pollen-free plants. The vibrant walls seem to seep into the skin and each room has a nice progression of atmosphere.

* If it's plant interest you're after, head for the Grand Marquee. Here show veteran Terry Hatch has won gold for his display Twiglets and Trumpets, a nicely eclectic celebration of Sarracenias (carnivorous swamp plants) and our endangered indigenous divaricates - those natives that look like wire netting.

* Tucked away but not forgotten, the much-lauded Chelsea Flower Show winner benefits from its wonderful bush backdrop at home. Doug and Trish Waugh weave the magic all over again to bring us all that is good in the truly New Zealand garden.

* Last word has to go to the first thing you see when you arrive at the Ellerslie show, Stevenson Garden Zone. An entire section of retail stores has been evicted this year to make way for this showstopper.



The winners are

SUPREME AWARDS

Supreme Award for best in show: Lakeside Art Garden, designed by Jan Hart. Horticultural Excellence: Joy Plants. Lighting Excellence: Flixonase, designed by Xanthe White. Design Excellence: Flixonase, designed by Xanthe White.

SUNDAY STAR-TIMES EXHIBITION GARDENS

Gold: Flixonase, designed by Xanthe White. Gold: Auckland Regional Council, designed by Jill Rice. Gold: Stevenson Garden Zone, designed by Leo Jew. Silver: The Artist's Garden, designed by Alex Schanzer. Silver: Palmers Urban Paradise. Silver: Daltons Garden, designed by Xanthe White. Bronze: Living Earth, designed by Jan McGowan. Bronze: Manukau City Council, designed by Chow Hill. Bronze: Phonak NZ Ltd, designed by Tim Feather. Bronze: Jon Lambert Designs, designed by Jon Lambert. Bronze: The Warehouse, designed by Sandra Arnet. Merit: Sunday Star-Times, designed by Norma de Langen. Merit: Hire-A-Hubby, designed by Rachel Holt.

RETAIL GARDENS

Gold: Lakeside Art Garden. Bronze: Aqua Technics Pool & Spa Centre NZ Ltd. Merit: Brustics Brushwood Fences Ltd.

TWININGS GRAND MARQUEE HORTICULTURAL SHOWCASE

Gold: Joy Plants. Silver: Tropifolia. Merit: Roach's Nurseries Ltd. Merit: Kiwi Bromeliads. Merit: Dr Keith Hammett Plant Breeder. Merit: Living Fashion. Merit: Mystery Nurseries

TWININGS GRAND MARQUEE FEATURE GARDENS

Silver: Exotica. Silver: MIT & Unitec. Bronze: Twinings. Bronze: Nursery Garden Industry Association. Bronze: O2 Landscapes. Bronze: Auckland Vegetable & Produce Growers Society. Merit: St Andrews Village.

DESIGN MARQUEE

Gold: UNITEC Landscape Design Students. Silver: The Essence of Chaos. Silver: WINTEC. Bronze: Laurenson Landscape Design. Bronze: Landscapes Ltd. Bronze: 365 Landscape Design. Merit: Waikato Home & Garden Show. Merit: Sally McLeay. Merit: Halligan Associates.

FLORAL MARQUEE

Professional Silver: Simply Flowers. Silver: XOX Floral Sculpture. Bronze: Passionate Blooms. Merit: Molly Blooms Floral Art Clubs. Gold: Hibiscus Coast Floral Art Club. Silver: Papakura Floral Art Club.