CRITICISM OF PRIZE GARDEN

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32531, 15 February 1971, Page 12

CRITICISM OF PRIZE GARDEN

Criticism of prize-winning gardens in the Christchurch Beautifying Association’s garden competition for being at a peak only a a short time had been replied to by the association, which says it does not have the time to judge gardens in all seasons.

A correspondent, “Winter Garden,” wrote: “I live near the Spreydon-Hoon Hay Working Men’s Club, which has recently been placed in the Christchurch Beautifying Association’s competition. While a formal style of flower garden is very nice during the summer months, I wonder if the association has ever considered inspecting the gardens during the winter months. This one would certainly not rate a second glance. “I am all in fayqur of the Beautifying Association’s competitions but 1 also think that a garden should look attractive all the year round, and not just during the summer judging. Could the club not plant a few permanent shrubs with attractive foliage for us- to look at during the winter months instead of weeds and bare ground?” In reply, the convener of the gardens’ sub-committee of the association (Mr R. A. Proctor) wrote: “We appreciate your correspondent’s interest in the Christchurch Beautifying Association’s garden competition, and would submit the following points on behalf oi the association. “The Sprejflon-Hoon Hay Working Men’s Club was placed third in the section for factories and institutions, and should be complimented on a very worthy entry provided by voluntary workers who would concede that they would gain more points if there were more trees and shrubs, although we would like to point out that those already planted have not yet grown sufficiently to .be viewed from the street. “Criticism of many prize winning gardens was quite valid in the past, but display gardens which are only at their peak for a very short period can not possibly be ; placed higher than those with permanent plantings of K

r trees and shrubs. This is be- ■ cause our updated pointing ! system places emphasis on permanency. Our committee ■ has considered judging in the i winter as well as spring and i summer but this is time con- . suming and as our associa- . tion has many other civic projects, we feel that undue ' emphasis should not be r made of one section of our • activities.” J The Canterbury Horticul- ; tural Society conducts a ■ competition for all-year 1 gardens, and would welcome . an entry from your corre- ‘ spondent. The following is j our pointing system for * home gardens competition: ‘ Design, harmony and arrange- ' ment, 30; flowers, annuals " and perennials, 20; cultivaj tion and maintenance, 10; , trees and shrubs, 25; lawn, 5 10; boundary beautification, r 5 -