Date published: March 22, 2010

Flower Power
By Josh B. Wardrop

In March of 2009, local garden enthusiasts were, for the first time in 138 years, unable to partake of a time-honored springtime tradition: The New England Spring Flower Show, a much-beloved annual event presented by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Due to the poor economy, MassHort pulled the plug on the popular show, causing spirits across the region to wilt.

This spring, however, the show is experiencing a rebirth appropriate to the season, as expo organizers The Paragon Group have revived the event, bringing the all-new Boston Flower & Garden Show to the Seaport World Trade Center from March 24-28. The show, which boasts the theme "A Feast for the Senses," expects to attract 75,000 fans of all things floral to survey more than 100,000 square feet of exhibits-including 30 major gardens designed by landscaping professionals and garden clubs-and a marketplace boasting 270 retail vendors.

Beyond the obvious appeal of the acres of beauteous and fragrant blossoms on display, the Boston Flower & Garden Show also offers a full schedule of special events, including celebrity appearances by HGTV's Anthony Gilardi, who offers do-it-yourself garden carpentry tips (March 27), and Patti Moreno of gardengirltv.com (March 28 ), who provides advice on how to craft a living garden in an urban backyard setting. And in addition to the feast for your eyes, the show also offers something for your taste buds with the Garden of Cakes exhibit that showcases edible floral designs from top Boston-area bakeries, and special afternoon Garden Teas that take place across the street at Aura restaurant in the Seaport Hotel.

So, if you're looking for the perfect way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring, come to the Seaport World Trade Center and say it with flowers.