Lois BuckleyWhere were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood?
Born and educated in Invercargill, married and had three children, then worked full time in the family photographic business. Secretary Invercargill Horticultural Society for a number of years.

Where do you live now?
Retired to Queenstown for fifteen years, but moved to Christchurch in 2010. Bought house here in Christchurch 12 hours before first earthquake! President and Life member of the Wakatipu Garden Club.

What aroused your interest in gardening or horticulture?
I guess my mother-in-law introduced me to floral art and I learnt to love flowers. The Duncan & Davies mail catalogue was my bible for learning.

What gardening or horticultural interests do you have now?
I’m a plantaholic, love starting new gardens and keeping up with the botanical names of plants. I suffer withdrawal symptoms if I don’t get to a nursery each week.

What’s your favourite plant and why?
All the early Spring flowers heralding the start of a new season, especially those first snowdrops.

What’s been your most challenging and/or rewarding gardening project ?
Being President of the Cashmere Garden Club the last two years. A very busy time amongst fabulous people. Challenging to find new members after the quake, but most rewarding to know it had been achieved.

When did you join the CHS and why?
Joined the Wakatipu Garden Club up as a member then took over their membership when they resigned, so I feel I have been part of CHS for longer than I have lived here.

What is your passion for the future of the CHS?
For the Society to encourage more people to join the wonderful world of gardening.  So rewarding. So peaceful.