Think it’s impossible to have a beautiful yard that needs little care? Plenty of garden experts want to show you how to make this fantasy come true. Always filled with spectacular gardens, the New England Spring Flower Show this year explores an increasingly popular trend – designing with hardy plants that do well in dry conditions. Known as xeriscape landscaping, it reflects the desire of baby boomers for conservation and convenience.

‘‘People want to have a garden they thoroughly enjoy and don’t have to do much with,’’ said Paul Miskovsky, co-designer of the show’s massive central garden. ‘‘That’s the direction we’re going in, and we’re showing people how they can do that.’’

Right from the start, the show’s theme ‘‘Yes, You Can!’’ challenges people to think beyond the routine. During the show’s nine-day run through March 25 at the Bayside Expo Center in Dorchester, an expected 90,000 visitors will wander among 35 gardens filled with perennials, annuals, grasses and trees, stonework, water elements, follies, and even live birds and lambs.

Beyond that, they can hear talks by the nation’s leading gardening experts and authors, get advice, watch horticultural and culinary demonstrations and enjoy live music.

It’s impossible to visit the flower show without coming away with an abundance of ideas, whether it’s as simple as an interesting brick paver, a groundcover alternative to grass, an unusual type of rhododendron or artistic fencing.

In Miskovsky’s seaside garden, he and co-designer Allen Haskell turn beach dunes into a xeriscape landscape filled with colorful ornamental grasses like miscanthus, panicum, pennisetum and carex. Within this landscape, there also are wetland and perennial areas, where beach plums, blueberry plants and butterfly weed bloom. Japanese black pines and Colorado blue spruce add grandeur, and blue and white delphinium, giant geraniums and daphne (including a totally new plant called Hannah propagated Haskell) create colorful intimacy.

‘‘This garden is over the top,’’ said Miskovsky, who runs Miskovsky Landscaping of Falmouth. ‘‘We’re breaking some rules and having fun with it. It’s a beach scenario with groups of plants that are very tough and hardy, but we also have wetland and perennial areas that might be in any yard.’’

The ‘‘over the top’’ quality comes from the fact that it’s 67,000 square feet, has more than 150 varieties of plants and includes a boardwalk that leads to a garden party. On Wednesday, guests at the gala of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society dined at the 24 garden tables, each displaying different place settings and centerpieces created by professional designers and floral arrangers.

‘‘We wanted to have a walk-through central exhibit and to incorporate these enchanting tables so the public can see them,’’ said show director Carolyn Weston. ‘‘This is one of the biggest and most ambitious exhibits we’ve had.’’

In its rhododendron garden, Bartlett Tree Experts of Osterville celebrates its 100th anniversary with a massive display.

‘‘Everything you could possibly grow well in New England will be there,’’ Weston said. ‘‘There will be a huge palette of shapes and colors that people might not have seen before.’’

In the verdant garden of first-time exhibitor Michael Jardin, returning show visitors will appreciate seeing a new sensibility. Intrigued by foliage, Jardin has amassed interesting and elegant combinations of ferns, Japanese maples, weeping cedar, variegated Solomon’s seal, viburnum and more.

‘‘I like to make statements with plants that show their natural beauty,’’ said Jardin, who runs Michael C. Jardin Fine Gardens of Mattapoisett.

As if to emphasize the garden’s spring renewal, Jardin has included young lambs and sculpted a granite archway for viewing them. Similarly, Peter Sadek of Lakeville makes his landscape home to colorful exotic pheasants in four aviaries tucked into his woodland scene, as well as the black necked swans on his pond.

Complementing the four species of pheasants – which cover the spectrum of colors – are many varieties of flowering azaleas, rhododendrons, maples, birches, hostas and ground covers.

‘‘It’s a very natural garden that requires less maintenance,’’ Sadek said.

At two xeriscape gardens, visitors will see the many alternatives to a lawn of grass.

‘‘You can have enough lawn for play and other functions, but then do other things,’’ said Peter Henrichs, gardens curator at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. ‘‘So many people think that lawn is the way to go, even when they have problems with it. But this is more of a dynamic garden that can give you interest through the seasons.’’

In some of the most creative interpretations of the ‘‘Yes, You Can!’’ theme, garden clubs and unaffiliated individuals have fashioned floral arrangements to illustrate the themes of ‘‘thrill seekers’’ and ‘‘creative professions.’’ This is probably the only place where you’ll see floral hang gliders, scuba divers, chefs, magicians and musicians, and it’s fun to see how the judges ranked these creations.

‘‘This is one of the most fun parts of the show,’’ said Weston.

Many events are targeted to specific audiences, such as new homeowners, garden tourists and devotees of particular plants.

A hit when it debuted last year, ‘‘Great Gardens of New England’’ focuses on the displays and special events at public gardens this summer, including the new Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. During ‘‘Passion for Plants’’ night, more than 30 plant societies will satisfy the interests of the most committed specialists. And at ‘‘Dig In: New Homeowners Day,’’ prominent writers and lecturers share their tips and inspirations.

Whichever day you visit, you’re likely to get the nourishment to make your garden grow.

Flower show special events

-Sunday – ‘‘Dig-In: New Homeowners Day.’’ Horticultural demonstrations and lectures, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Author Tovah Martin, ‘‘Begged, Borrowed, and Stolen: Hard-Earned Secrets of Successful Gardeners’’ and Victory Garden host Michael Weishan, ‘‘The Seven Deadly Sins of the Modern American Landscape – and How to Avoid Them!’’

-Monday – ‘‘Garden-to-Gourmet Festival,’’ 2:30-7:30 p.m. wine tasting at 5:30 p.m. Cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, food samples and wine tasting. Participating chefs include Jody Adams of Rialto, Steven Brand of Upstairs on the Square, Richard Babcock of the Odyssey, Paul O’Connell of Chez Henri and Cynthia Gold, Tea Sommalier of Swan’s Restaurant.

-Tuesday – ‘‘Passion for Plants: Ask the Experts.’’ Experts from 30 plant societies and nurseries will offer informational tables, lectures and demonstrations.

-Wednesday – ‘‘Great Gardens of New England,’’ 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Learn about botanical gardens in New England, watch floral demonstrations and hear lectures.

-Thursday – ‘‘Girls Night Out,’’ 6-8 p.m. Fashion shows, makeovers and a performance of songs from ‘‘Respect – A Musical Journey of Women.’’

-Friday – ‘‘Plantapalooza: Children’s Festival & Educators Night.’’ Interactive displays, live animals, musical performances and lectures about horticulture in education today.

-March 24 – ‘‘Brides ‘n Blooms.’’ Party planners, caterers and floral designers offer wedding ideas. There’s even an actual wedding at 5 p.m. in the central exhibit.

-March 25 – ‘‘Music in the Gardens,’’ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Winiker Jazz Trio, the Blue Parrot Band and other groups perform.

The 136th New England Spring Flower Show runs through March 25 at Bayside Expo Center, Mount Vernon St., Dorchester. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $20 adults, $17 seniors/students and $10 children under 12. For more information, go to masshort.org.

Jody Feinberg may be reached at jfeinberg@ledger.com .

source : ledger.southofboston.com