The Dunedin Botanic Garden Rhododendron Day garden festival on Sunday is one of about 40 events during the week-long festival, which runs until October 25.
Garden information services officer and festival committee member Clare Fraser said the day had been going for about 40 years in conjunction with the Dunedin Horticultural Society, mainly as a plant sale.
This year, it had a "massive makeover", with the sale extended to include food, craft and home stalls and, adding to the day, a dell discovery trail, she said.
"We wanted to inject some energy into the day ... we'll have giant human ladybirds meeting visitors."
People would follow clues and, along the way, would come across a variety of entertainment in the dell's clearings, she said.
The event was suitable for people of all ages.
"For us, it is an opportunity to basically remind Dunedin how lucky they are with what we have here."
For serious horticulturists, there was also the demonstration of rhododendron care and the dell tour.
The rhododendron festival opens on Sunday with a talk from garden designer and television presenter Tony Murrell.
Festival co-ordinator Victoria Bunton said it was great to have Mr Murrell, cook Sally Cameron and florist Fionna Hill attending the festival for the first time.
Over the next week, a variety of rhododendron-inspired events will be held, including a professional tree-climbing exhibition, a fashion show, talks by gardeners and authors, cooking classes, a photography competition, garden and ghost tours and a golf tournament.
More than 20 gardens will also be open to the public during the festival.
"I think one of the highlights is the number of free family events we have on," Ms Bunton said.
Programmes can be sourced from the visitor centre or online at www.rhododendron.co.nz.
