Transplanting the Ellerslie International Flower Show from Auckland to Christchurch last year was a phenomenal success, with more than 75,000 people - many of them from Otago and Southland - attending the five-day show, and the organisers are promising an equally impressive show this year.
Before last year's event, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker's push for his council to buy the show from Auckland had been regarded with some scepticism, as Christchurch ratepayers were concerned that they might have to pick up the tab if the show failed.
Mr Parker and his council were delighted that all the costs had been covered before the show opened and even more pleased that their estimates of 65,000 visitors were exceeded by 10,000.
Retailers brave enough to test the new venue were equally happy, with most experiencing sales that far outstripped previous shows in Auckland.
Maya Neumann, a milliner from Sydney and an Ellerslie exhibitor for the previous six years, said: "This show leaves Auckland for dead.
I sold out all my winter hats within the first day and will be bringing 10 times the amount of stock to next year's show."
What no-one anticipated was the high standard of the exhibits, with four winning gold, the most gold awards in at least five years.
Most exhibits were by Canterbury designers but Seeking Shangri-La was brought from Singapore, where it had been the Supreme Award winner and People's Choice in the 2008 Singapore Flower Festival.
By the beginning of last week, the designers of the more than 30 display gardens were on-site to begin building their gardens.
Among them was award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer Chris Beardshaw, whose 12m x 64m exhibition garden in Christchurch will be the largest in Ellerslie's history.
Another first will be the Japanese garden by Koji Ninomiya, a former Ellerslie judge and award-winning designer.
This year will again see in action the creators of Bush Telly, last year's Supreme Award winner.
Their exhibit will feature a musterers' hut against a backdrop of Mt Cass and the rugged North Canterbury backcountry.
The designers have three weeks to complete their gardens before the judges begin assessing them on March 8.
And spare a thought for the 10 apprentice florists, who will each create 15 floral designs during the five-day show in a competition to decide who will represent New Zealand at next year's WorldSkills International Floristry Competition in London.
The florists will work in one of Ellerslie's five giant marquees and the public can watch them at work.
Acting on visitor feedback from last year, efforts are being made this year to reduce queues, improve signs and better manage traffic.
There will be more food and beverage outlets and a greater number of rest areas.
Be there:
The Ellerslie International Flower Show will be held in North Hagley Park, Christchurch, from Wednesday, March 10, to Sunday, March 14.
It is open daily from 10am to 7pm, except on the Sunday, when it closes at 6pm.
Ticket prices range from $35 for an adult one-day pass but there are discounts for entry after 3pm, for children and for senior citizens.
A full price list can be seen at www. ellerslieflowershow.co.nz
