Nor'West News: March 25, 2021

6 Thursday March 25 2021
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
NOR’WEST NEWS
‘I couldn’t be too kind on them’
SKILLS: Sea-am with the garden competition’s panel of judges.
• From page 1
But he was barred from considering
his own pride and joy – the
eye-catching gardens at Avon
City Motel, on Main North Rd,
Redwood, owned by his parents
won the Galey Trophy for colour
impact.
These gardens were also partially
responsible for the production
of nearly 60,000 swan plants
and seeds he donated to people
who also desired to save the
monarch butterfly population.
The year 10 St Andrew’s College
student helped judge about
20 gardens across the city, covering
secret gardens and retirement
villages.
“I feel really lucky and proud
because I’m not the normal person
to be a judge,” he said.
Determining an awardwinning
garden was a huge task
itself, up against strict criteria:
Ground cover and lawn, cultivation
and maintenance, annuals
and perennials, trees and shrubs,
and design and harmony.
But Sea-am was prepared,
knowing “a lot for someone my
age.”
“I didn’t want to judge them
because they were all so good,
but I knew I had to do the job, I
couldn’t be too kind on them.”
Trevor Tubman, the association’s
head of media and events,
said the 14-year-old was the
youngest judge the competition
invited to participate “by a long
shot.”
The motel, where he got to
know Sea-am, often won awards,
so Tubman got thinking.
“I suggested to his dad that he
comes along to see what we do
and how we do it, and he jumped
at the opportunity. He’s got
wonderful plant knowledge - it’s
amazing the amount of knowledge
he has,” he said.
Sea-am has been pottering
about the garden since he was
2-years-old. Born opposite the
ocean, his name in reverse - “I
am the sea” – roughly reflects his
Kaikoura upbringing.
Aside from swan plants, he favoured
butterbeans and tuberous
begonias.
“It’s been longer than I remember
because I can’t remember
when I started.”
His father Terry reckoned family
roots got his son into it, being
keen gardeners themselves.
Said Sea-am: “Our motel is
really mainly about our garden,
without it, I wouldn’t have done
it as much. In Kaikoura when I
was young, I did a lot of vegetable
gardening and I was really proud
to pick all the veges and give
them away.”
When a teacher introduced
monarch butterflies at primary
school in Kaikoura, it sealed the
deal for good.
Knowing they were plummeting
towards extinction due to
factors like climate change and
farming, he planted swan plant
seeds to encourage monarch butterflies
to reproduce.
Since then they have grown
in size and number, attracting
hundreds of butterflies to the
motel gardens and at the original
Kaikoura garden.
Caterpillars love to eat swan
plants and later use it to transform
into a chrysalis before
hatching into butterflies.
In three years, he has donated
thousands of plants and seeds.
Each pod sometimes contained
80 seeds.
“Butterflies can smell the scent
of swan plants from over 2 miles
away.”
Sea-am may be the youngest
gardening judge, but he also
might be one of the youngest
to keep the tradition of organ
playing alive at a time when
the number of players dwindles
nationwide.
His love for choral music
landed him a scholarship at
Cathedral Grammar and later
St Andrew’s College, resulting
in a family move to Christchurch.
Through this, he learned how
to play the organ at the Transitional
Cathedral from Dr John
Linker and StAC music teacher
Brian Botting, and once sang for
Prince Charles with the Christchurch
Cathedral Choir.
Music runs deep in his blood
- his father plays the accordion
and harmonica and a great-greatuncle
composed Sir Edmund
Hillary’s wedding music.
Between gardening, sport,
homework and flying lessons,
Sea-am wouldn’t give any of it up,
even if it means being out of the
house 12 hours a day.
• Food to go
• Barista Coffee
• Confectionery
• Groceries
• Ice creams
• Trailer hire
CRANFORD
STREET
9KG LPG
Bottle Refill
ONLY $23
500 Cranford Street, Papanui. Phone: 03 352 8705
Mon-Fri 6am–10pm Sat-Sun 7am-9pm
T&C
apply
Your new local
audiology clinic
is now open.
• Ear wax removal
• Diagnostic hearing tests
• Tinnitus management
• Hearing aid fittings
Call us for a FREE
hearing test.
(03) 351 1172
240 Ilam Road
Christchurch
bellbirdhearing.co.nz
‘CEREC’ & cosmetic dentistry
Wisdom tooth removal
Painless, high quality dentistry
Sedation dentistry
Experienced, conscientious team
Experienced hygienists
OPEN SATURDAYS
355 9380
144 Cranford Street
www.stalbansdentalcentre.co.nz
You can’t always make
it to the chiropractor.
But you can sleep in a
bed recommended by one.
55% off *
Model Run Out Beds
WHILE STOCK LASTS
Sleepyhead Chiropractic HD and HDX beds
Sleepyhead Chiropractic beds have been endorsed by the New Zealand
Chiropractors Association for postural support. They feature Torquezone HD,
a 5-zone support system designed to reduce stress on your back.
And at 55% off, we’re reducing stress on your bank balance.
*Offer valid while stocks last, unless otherwise stated. Discount is off our full retail price. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Some products on display in selected stores only – please call 0800 764 847 to check availability. Personal shoppers only.