Akaroa flies its floral flag.

Home is where the heart is and being a born and bred in Duvauchelle on Banks Peninsula means I will always call it home. Last year I was thrilled to see the Akaroa and bays flowerr bed garden win a gold medal at the Ellerslie Flower Show. Jodie Nicholls, who designed the garden is busy working on this years exhibit which is going to showcase the iconic Akaroa Lighthouse. Are you mad? is what I thought when Hollie Hollander from Akaroa promotions told me what they were doing this year at Ellerslie.

The lighthouse holds particular memories for me, I remember as a child when it was originally located out at the Akaroa heads. My brother as a young boy got to ride in one of the trucks when it was being re-located to where it is now. It is an icon of the harbour and Akaroa and I can’t wait to see how the design comes together.

From what I can gather the lighthouse will provide a majestic back drop to the garden. See the red, white and blue planting through out suggesting Akaroa’s French heritage.

Douglas Croll has constructed a faithful replica of this iconic Akaroa structure and Jodie and team are busy with the time consuming job of wiring on more than 1300 pots for the flowers. The challenge will be in moving the structure from Le Bons bay to Hagley park in a couple of weeks time. Keep your eyes peeled prior to the show when the lighthouse will be on the move again.

The design will include a beautiful mosaic dolphin and other artistic elements, go the hector dolphins.

The simple plantings will include Cinerarias, Pansies, Petunia’s & Alyssum for the bulk of the lighthouse.

“What we are trying to create is a brilliant visual display which brings a smile to people’s faces but it is also a great opportunity to showcase Akaroa and environs and encourage visitors to our area.”

Good luck team, I can’t wait to see the end result.

This year 7 entries have been received for the national flower bed competition. These include our own Christchurch City Council, Ashburton, Coromandel, Rotorua, Kaiapoi and Wellington. May the best flowers win!