20 FEBRUARY 2009 - Christchurch's heritage and the achievements of Canterbury's pioneers in transforming a wilderness into the Garden City will be celebrated at next month's Ellerslie International Flower Show.

The Curator's House Eco-education Centre and Restaurant , Rotary Club of Christchurch, Historic Places Trust and Christchurch Botanic Gardens have combined to create a garden that promotes the significance of heritage homes and gardens, as well as fusion gardening.

At the heart of the Hort Galore Marquee exhibit is a one-sixteenth scale model of the iconic Curator's House in the Botanic Gardens, based on the original 1919 builder's plan and specifications.

Exhibitors Roger Murdoch and Colin Knight say the exhibit illustrates the impact of human settlement on Christchurch's natural environment.

"An original ecosystem of tussocks, flax, cabbage trees and podocarp trees was replaced by settlers with flora from England - ryegrass and browntop lawn, oak, sycamore and coniferous trees.

"By having a backdrop of indigenous planting and a foreground of English flora we hope the exhibit will help people appreciate the beauty of natives and the importance of preserving and replanting areas with original flora."

The exhibit will feature such plants as Carex, Elaeocarpus, Plagianthus, Kahikatea, Sophora and Kanuka.

Dr Knight says the exhibit also highlights the importance of retaining and restoring heritage buildings, a frequent controversial issue around the City Council table and in the media.

"Christchurch is distinctive from other New Zealand cities because of its large number of architectural treasures. The Canterbury Museum, the Cathedral, Art s Centre, Christ's College, Mona Vale and Sign of the Takahe are just a few examples.

"Our exhibit uses The Curator's House as a case study to draw attention to the beauty of our heritage buildings."