Festival of Flowers

The annual Festival of Flowers in Christchurch is a celebration of gardens, plants and everything floral. The festival runs from mid February to mid-March. This page links to events, the festival website and related gardening resources.

History of the festival

Organised by the Christchurch Garden City Trust, the festival began in 1989.

The festival includes displays, music, food, storytelling, garden tours, a photography competition, calligraphy, ikebana and many free activities. One of the highlights of the festival is the traditional floral carpet and decorations in Christ Church Cathedral in Cathedral Square.

Gardening events resources

Our online resources:

• More gardening guides and events resources
• Gardening listings from our community information directory CINCH, including specialist plant clubs and organic gardening groups.
• Gordon M. Gee botanical illustrations This collection of botanical illustrations is the work of Gordon Gee who for 18 years worked at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens as a sign writer. His skill as an artist was recognized and he was encouraged to produce drawings and paintings of specimens at the Gardens.

Internet Gateway listings

• Gardening links
• Jenny Gillies Christchurch costume and fabric artist
• Christ Church Cathedral. Venue for the floral carpet and other festival events
• Ohinetahi, near Governors Bay, is a historic homestead and garden, originally the home of T.H. Potts, one of New Zealand’s earliest conservationists.
• Gethsemane is a beautiful Sumner hillside garden with wonderful views. Not many gardens are home to Noah’s Ark!
• Riccarton Bush Historic house and gardens in Christchurch
• Mona Vale Historic house and gardens in Christchurch

Browse the resources in our libraries

• Flowers
• Flower arrangement
• Artificial flowers