The CHS Garden Awards are a way of acknowledging the great work home gardeners, landscape designers, city planners, teachers and employed gardeners are doing, and a chance for just a little bit of showing off for all the hard yards on the ground.  This year, the society has a number of new categories to reflect the changing nature of our city and for home gardeners, the generous support of Oderings Garden Centres with over $3,000 of Oderings vouchers on offer.

"Oderings has a close relationship with the CHS and is proud to support Canterbury home gardeners in their efforts to create unique summer gardens. We are very much looking forward to seeing inspirational colour, new concepts and innovative designs," said Julian Odering, spokesman for Oderings Garden Centres.


CHS says it would love to see some new gardens and meet some new gardeners, so anyone who has worked hard on a garden – for home, school or work – could be nominated. Classes range from pocket gardens right through to commercial properties. A special class for house and gardens under three years old provides an opportunity for new homeowners to show off their hard work over the last few challenging years.

The awards have an emphasis on recognising achievement across a range of gardening skills, and cater for every style of garden from early colonial to contemporary design. So those who think their gardens would not be up to ‘competition standard’ could be mistaken.

All entrants whose garden gains an award receive a certificate at the CHS Summer Garden Awards function and a complimentary membership to the organisation. Home gardeners with top scoring gardens receive either a $250 (1st), $100 (2nd) or $50 (3rd) Oderings gift voucher. There is also a Premier Garden Award with a $500 Oderings Gift Voucher awarded to the best garden from the Home Gardens category.

Entry is FREE. To learn more simply download an entry form from the Canterbury Horticultural Society website: www.chsgardens.co.nz or visit the Horticultural Centre in Hagley Park and collect an entry form. This includes all details including judging criteria and what judges will be looking for when they visit.

The contest is open to all residents of Christchurch as per the CCC guidelines.


Entries close: Wednesday, 27 January 2016; judging takes place on Saturday, 30 January 2016