Raetihi woman Trish Smart knew nothing about her nomination for New Zealand Gardener of the Year.
When she received a telephone call advising she was the Manawatu/Whanganui regional finalist, she was surprised, but also delighted that her old-fashioned English country garden with its "very cold hardy plants" had placed her inthe running.
Mrs Smart moved to the Waimarino 17 years ago, and has lived in her 1920s cottage in Raetihi for nine years where she grows "magnificent delphiniums" and plants that will survive the alpine conditions.She is a member of the local garden club and when they hold their market, she cautions buyers against purchasing plants that will not survive.
One of the locals who nominated Mrs Smart said that no matter what question you asked at the garden club, whether it was to identify a plant, or what conditions a planted needed to survive in, there was only ever one person to ask, "Trish".
In the week before Christmas when her garden is looking its best, Mrs Smart holds an open day at her home to inspire others in the community to get gardening.
"Trish is so generous with her time and knowledge. It's people like her who inspire the next generation of gardeners," said one local.
Mrs Smart says she's delighted with her $1000 of gardening products and is now in the running for $5,000 of vouchers to spend at Mitre 10 and a luxury trip for two to the 2011 Ellerslie Flower Show.
- You can vote for the Gardener of the Year on the official voting form in the October issue of NZ Gardener.
