It's an extravaganza of flowers, designs and entertainment and it's growing bigger.
The Ellerslie International Flower Show - billed as Southern Hemisphere's biggest garden event - usually attracts around 60,000 people from New Zealand and abroad.
However, this time organisers are gearing up for a bigger turnout.
"This year we are expecting close to 70,000 people to turn up for the show," managing director Dave Mee said.
"Tickets for the event are sold through outlets like Foodtown and we have heard that most of their tickets for the show have been sold out."
The flower show, which generates up to $14 million for Auckland's economy, is a top draw for people who come to witness lush floral displays, plant sculptures, and also to shop at fruit stalls, vegetable markets and plant stalls.
Experts are on hand at the event to offer tips to flower enthusiasts and there are musical concerts and food and drink available.
"Like every year this year's flower show too has a couple of special features lined up like the Starlight Marquee and A Slice of Chelsea," says Mr Dee
Awarding winning designer Sarah Eberle will be presenting 'A Slice of Chelsea' at the event.
Ms Eberle is one of the world's top designers and a winner of numerous Royal Horticulture Society gold medals.
Her garden at the show will be the third in a trilogy. Her first and second gardens won gold and best-in-show awards at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The Starlight Marquee, according to the event organisers, is the world's first.
A blacked out marquee, which turns day into night, will provide a good opportunity for visitors to view gardens with a focus on lighting.
Mr Dee said that smaller gardens, a big hit in 2006, would see an increase in number this year too.
"The show will also include larger gardens designed by some of New Zealand's top designers.
"Visitors to the event can also catch a glimpse of the stunning Visique garden designed by Mike Mansvelt," he said.
Show favourites including the Yates Hort Galore, Tower Design Marquee, and Twinings Floral Art Marquee will also be back this year..
The flower show will open to the public from Wednesday until Sunday at the Auckland Botanical Gardens
|
Select a Florist
