Garden Life October
Tuesday 7th 6pm & Wednesday 8th 1pm
Paul Hooper – Intelligro
Paul Hooper is the Research and Development Technical Advisor at Intelligro, where he shares his expertise with both customers and staff. With a lifelong passion for horticulture, Paul retrained at Lincoln University in 2014 and has since worked across nurseries in Selwyn and Christchurch. For the past four years, he has been at Intelligro, helping gardeners and professionals get the most from their soils and growing media.
In his talk, Paul will cover:
- What certified organic compost means in New Zealand
- The benefits of organic compost – and why not all composts are equal
- The circular economy and its impact on compost
- Potting mixes – their components, how they’re made, and their purposes
- Why sourcing direct from a manufacturer has advantages
- Common problems and questions around composts, mixes, and soils
Bring along your questions—Paul will be happy to share his practical advice and insights.
Mini Speaker: Yvette Edwards
Celebrating the season, Yvette will demonstrate some simple sustainable vase mechanics 'foam free' for arranging spring flowers at home.
Yvette’s love for flowers began in her grandmother’s garden in North Wales and grew through visits to iconic gardens with her mother—an experience they still cherish today.
She trained in floristry in the English countryside, gaining experience in everything from stately home weddings to royal luncheons. Now living in Christchurch after 15 years in Wellington, Yvette is known for her elegant, seasonal floral arrangements, workshops, and indoor plant styling. Originally from the UK, she brings a refined, garden-inspired aesthetic to weddings, interiors, and events. Her work is guided by sustainability and a deep love for natural beauty.
In 2025, Yvette relocated to Christchurch to begin a new chapter, continuing to grow her botanical journey.
Garden Life November
Tuesday 4th 6pm & Wednesday 5th 1pm
Main Speaker: Helen Osborne - Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House Museum
Where Change Took Root: Kate Sheppard and the Landscape of Suffrage
This talk explores the remarkable life and enduring impact of Kate Sheppard through the lens of her home and garden in Ōtautahi Christchurch. As Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading suffrage campaigner, Kate Sheppard understood the power of persistence, strategy, and community — values still deeply rooted in the place she once called home.
Helen Osborne shares insights into Kate’s vegetarianism and its influence on the historic garden, as well as the transformation of the house into a public site of memory. The presentation highlights how this space continues to spark conversations about women’s rights, political change, and social justice — inviting reflection on how heritage places can serve as powerful reminders of activism, resistance, and the everyday lives that shape history.
Helen is the Property Lead for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, where she manages Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House Museum.
Mini Speaker: Bear Astill - Midgarden