INTERNATIONAL FLORAL DESIGNER LAUNCHES MEMOIR AT TWO AUCKLAND GARDEN PARTIES

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.