He may have left
behind the bright lights of Manhattan for tranquil retirement in coastal
Mahurangi, but Kiwi-born international floral designer J Barry Ferguson
certainly still knows how to throw a New York-style garden party – in fact he hosted
two last week to launch his memoir, Flowers
are my Passport.
At Auckland’s
Eden Gardens on Thanksgiving Day, guests that included media personalities,
opera singers and the gardening fraternity’s own glitterati were beckoned
through the gates and down the blossom-lined path by jaunty yellow balloons.
And the book display table was, naturally, decorated by Barry with the most
magnificent floral display (casually encased in one of the printer’s cartons).
Barry and his book production team at Eden Gardens.
On the
weekend at Ramara, Barry’s home in Mahurangi West, a large, lively group
including family and many notable botanical friends spilled out onto the
terrace overlooking the magnificent gardens, and enjoyed delicate finger food,
along with fruit punch and champagne.
J Barry
Ferguson was born in Wellington, schooled in Dunedin and opened his first
florist business on Hereford Street in Christchurch, but it was on New York’s Fifth Avenue that he
really made his name. From his work as long-time curator of Greenacre Park, a
lunch hour haven for Manhattanites, to his lavish floral decorations for highly
visible events such as the re-opening of Central Park Zoo, or private functions
like David and Peggy Rockefeller’s fiftieth wedding anniversary, his client
list (and circle of friends) during three decades in the city included many of
its most famous names.
His memoir is
a lavishly illustrated and entertaining read that illustrates how a combination
of timing, good fortune and hard work, plus plenty of chutzpah, allowed him to
seize unique opportunities, whether it was running a theatre company in
Stockholm, guiding botanical tours to exotic locations or designing flowers and
decor for those special events in Manhattan.
In welcoming
guests to the Eden Gardens event, publishing and communication consultant
Belinda Cooke reminded them that Flowers
are my Passport was not Barry’s first book. His previous title, Living with Flowers, was published in
the US by Rizzoli, sold 35,000 copies and was honored with the Quill &
Trowel Award by the Garden Writers Association of America.
Master
plantsman Terry Hatch and previous head of Auckland Heritage Roses Jill
Henderson both spoke at Eden Gardens, and at Ramara, neighbour and direct of
Art + Object Hamish Coney gave a splendid run-down of the author and the
fascinating stories he tells. In reply at both events, Barry presented just
enough 'moments' from the journey of his life to awaken curiosity to know more
– some confessions, some impressions, but no matter how unlikely, all true.
It’s a credit
to Barry, the professional team he employed to produce his memoir – including
editor Liz Light and printers Bookprint – and to the success of his previous
book, that sales team BookReps and distributor PDL have picked up the project,
making this fascinating read easily available to bookstores nationwide.
Flowers are my Passport
by J Barry Ferguson, HB, $49.99.
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