Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood?
I was born in Christchurch and spent all my childhood here. Apart from a few years away travelling and working, this city has always been home to me.
Where do you live now and with whom?
I live in Avonhead with my husband, Brian. Our three sons all live in Auckland.
What aroused your interest in gardening or horticulture?
My parents inspired me to love gardening and to appreciate nature and the ‘great outdoors’. I now take friends on tours of my garden just as Mum did (and still does!) with me. Dad kept a well-stocked vegetable garden and I can now understand why he didn’t appreciate my pet bantams running loose in it!
What gardening or horticultural interests do you have now?
I love English woodland and cottage gardens. I particularly like visiting them and trying to recreate ideas in my own garden. I also love our New Zealand native plants and seeing them growing in the wild.
What’s your favourite plant and why?
It’s hard to choose a favourite plant as they all have their own beauty. However, I particularly like hebes for their variety of colour and form. They are hardy plants for home gardens and the flowers are great for picking.
What’s been your most challenging and/or rewarding gardening project ?
The most challenging but enjoyable home gardening project has been creating a woodland garden in a previously sunny area now more shaded by surrounding trees.
When did you join the CHS and why?
I joined the CHS many years ago because my parents, Rae and Harold Mintrom were keen members. I thought it would be fun to join in activities with other gardening enthusiasts and learn from them as well.
What is your passion for the future of the CHS?
I hope the CHS continues to inspire gardeners of all ages and to be recognised and appreciated in our city. I hope it leads the way in keeping Christchurch’s fame as the ‘garden city’.