The gardens at Pompallier Mission – the historic property in Russell cared for by Heritage New Zealand – have received official recognition.

Pompallier Mission has won the Russell Business Association Best Commercial Garden Award for 2016.

The gardens are the result of hard work by gardeners Chelsea Neustroski and Shelley Arlidge.

“It’s really nice to have this acknowledgement – especially from the local community,” says Chelsea, who is Pompallier Mission’s Head Gardener.

“We work hard to keep the gardens as well presented as possible – especially for the large numbers of tourists who visit Russell.”

The media Release is as follows:

 

 

 

 

December 7

MEDIA RELEASE

Pompallier Mission gardens win award

 

The gardens at Pompallier Mission – the historic property in Russell cared for by Heritage New Zealand – have received official recognition.

Pompallier Mission has won the Russell Business Association Best Commercial Garden Award for 2016.

The gardens are the result of hard work by gardeners Chelsea Neustroski and Shelley Arlidge.

“It’s really nice to have this acknowledgement – especially from the local community,” says Chelsea, who is Pompallier Mission’s Head Gardener.

“We work hard to keep the gardens as well presented as possible – especially for the large numbers of tourists who visit Russell.”

The Pompallier Mission gardens incorporate two gardening styles covering two different historical periods – a Promiscuous garden that was established when the Greenway family were living on-site, and the formal garden that was established by the Stevensons.

“The garden makes wonderful use of colours and annuals and also includes some highly unusual plants like the Chaenomelis [flowering quince],” says Chelsea.

The Pompallier Mission grounds also include a flourishing vege garden – reminiscent of the time when Bishop Pompallier and his Marist brothers lived on site, and produced religious literature in Maori in the mission printery. The garden was important for their survival.

The Pompallier Mission garden is a joy to work in according to Shelley.

“I’m really happy to come to work every day. The combination of the garden and the view of the sea is a real plus,” she says.

Media Contact: John O’Hare, Heritage Advisor Media and Marketing (Northern Region) Ph: (64 9) 407 0470 | DDI: 407 0481