"We are literally bursting at the seams with exhibits this year," said Jan Love, who directs the annual event on the Portland waterfront at the site of Portland Yacht Services. This year's show kicks off with the gala awards ceremony on March 7, followed by general admission March 8 to 11, with doors opening each day at 10.

Many long-time exhibitors . including O'Donal's Nursery and Gnome Landscaping . are returning to the show after a year away, but it's the influx of first-time exhibitors that is helping to give the show new energy.

"Landscaping, as a profession, is one of the fastest growing trades in Maine right now and the flower show represents the best opportunity for these craftsmen to show us what they can do," said show volunteer and HGTV host Paul Tukey, who is among more than 20 experts slated for the Distinguished Lecture Series that runs all four days of the show. "In the past, the same 12 or so companies have carried the Portland Flower Show. They are all great, but it's awesome to see the excitement of the new exhibitors."

This year, the Portland Flower Show is aligning itself for the first time with the Morrison Developmental Center of Portland as its non-profit partner. The Center, which offers programs for developmentally disabled children and adults . including an innovative greenhouse program . will benefit from the proceeds of the show and also create one of this year's largest exhibits.

All the exhibitors will be judged, in part, by their depiction of the theme, Gardens Around the World, which presents a board palette of possibilities.

"The fun part is interpreting how a garden from England, or Holland, or France or elsewhere might look right here in Maine," said Jeff O'Donal, owner of O'Donal's Nurseries in Gorham, who also serves on the show's organizing committee. "Even with that theme, the emphasis within the show will be on hardy plants that can make it here in Maine."

For more information, including times, ticket prices and the Lecture Series schedule, visit www.portlandcompany.com. Advance tickets are available at Hannaford Supermarkets, UPS stores and selected local garden centers.