Awards celebrate our beautiful gardens

Do you have a pretty garden visible from the street?

You might just find your efforts rewarded so keep an eye on your mailbox!

Inspiring people to beautify their streets and gardens has been the driver behind the Community Pride Garden Awards since 1991.

Now celebrating their 32^nd year the awards encourage civic pride and recognise those who help keep up Christchurch’s reputation as the nation’s Garden City.

They are a joint venture between Christchurch City Council Community Boards and the Christchurch Beautifying Association.

“Many people in our communities put time and effort into their gardens each week, planting, mulching, weeding and mowing,” says Christchurch City Council head of Community Support, Governance and Partnership John Filsell.

“We also have commercial property owners who go the extra mile with their public gardens.

“It really makes a difference to how our streets look and how people feel about their community so we want to recognise that hard work through these awards.”

Between 15 January and 6 February volunteer judges from the beautifying association will be out and about selecting gardens to receive an award.

Those chosen are notified with a card placed in the letter box at the time of judging.

The overall tidiness and impact of the garden are taken into account, along with the effort that has gone in to creating and maintaining it.

All gardens visible from the street are eligible, including both residential and commercial.

Six community boards are involved in this year’s awards: Waitai Coastal-Burwood, Waimaero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood, Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton, Waikura Linwood-Central-Heathcote, Waipapa Papanui-Innes and Waihora Spreydon-Cashmere.

Any gardens within those board areas are eligible. Last year 682 awards were awarded for outstanding gardens.

Find out more about the Community Pride Garden Awards.

Christchurch Street and Garden Awards

Judging for the Christchurch Street and Garden Awards takes place at the same time. These awards are administered by the Christchurch Beautifying Association with the support of the Council.

The awards were set up over 70 years ago and there are specific categories:

• Premier Long Street (60 properties or more)
• Premier Short Street (up to 59 properties)
• Premier Cul de Sac
• Most Attractive Garden, selected from the premier streets
• Best Street Frontage Planting
• Best All-Year-Round Garden
• Living Fences
• Environmental Awards for churches, service stations, schools, factories, and commercial properties
• City 'Gateway' Awards for the most attractive gardens (residential and commercial) in: Memorial Avenue, Main South Road, Main North Road, Yaldhurst Road, Ferry Road.

Find out more about the Christchurch Street and Garden Awards.