NB. The Wildflower Garden Party had to be cancelled due to the storm that took place prior to the event - so disappointing

“It’s time for a change,” says Julie Russell joint-owner of the fabulous Round Pond garden where the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition has been held since 2008….

For most us living in Hawke’s Bay the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition is a well known companion event to the Cranford Hospice Holly Trail, the biennial fundraiser held in November that draws people from all over New Zealand and Australia to see some magnificent homes and gardens decorated for Christmas in wonderful locations around the district. The Wildflower Sculpture Exhibition is also a Cranford fundraiser that has been a showcase for New Zealand sculpture, attracting thousands of local visitors and Holly Trail visitors to the huge and magnificent garden property of Mike and Julie Russell at Rosser’s Road, Longlands.

However, this year WSE didn’t happen and when I visited the Round Pond Garden in November I asked Julie, the creative force behind the ambitious sculpture-in-the-garden event, if it was true that there would be no more Wildflower Sculpture Exhibitions and what might we expect to fill the gap? She revealed that instead of the November date for biennial Sculpture Exhibition there is to be a similar, modified event to he held in January 20, 21 and 22 (Wellington Anniversary weekend) to be known as the Wildflower Garden Party and ceramics exhibition.

Julie explains, “We're hoping the event will feel quite different to the Wildflower Sculpture Exhibitions of the past, with it being at a different time of year and more low-key.” As with the WSE, proceeds will be donated to the Cranford Hospice and the event will give focus to the region’s clay/ceramic artists who will have individual displays over the three days. The change from a spring event to one held in January, provides an opportunity to create a different kind of wildflower garden in high summer.

“We have put in totally different plants that flower later and will create a perennial wildflower meadow to attract insects and birdlife and instead of poppies we’ll have cosmos, rudbeckia and yellow mustard, things that are more permanent and as perennials will keep coming up each year. We’re hopeful with our new enthusiasm for a wildflower meadow we’ll be offering a different look for a longer flowering season, with a lot less work.”

In addition to the ceramics exhibition, the tea house will be open for refreshments including tea, coffee, cakes and ice cream and a BBQ will operate. The garden itself will be filled with vibrant summer colour and offer fun for families with the face painting and a caricature artist.

For more information read the Jan/Feb edition of BayBuzz magazine or check the Round Pond website online https://www.roundpondgarden.com/garden-party-2023