THE first major national outdoor horticultural event of 2007 opens today when Malvern's annual Spring Gardening Show unveils its magnificent blooms on the Three Counties Showground.

Months of preparation have gone into the stunning floral displays, show gardens and exhibits, which present an array every bit as good as the doyen of flower shows at Chelsea.

Around 100,000 visitors are expected before close of business on Sunday at 6pm and the event will form the bulk of BBC2 TV's Gardeners' World programme tomorrow night.

Today is a special press and preview day to announce the awards by the Royal Horticultural Society judges before the public admission days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"The success of the Spring Gardening Show, particularly over the last 15 years, has been quite phenomenal," said show press officer Sharon Gilbert.

"It has ridden on the wave of gardening's popularity and people come from all over the country.

"They don't seem affected by the weather either.

"A drop of rain never seems to bother gardeners."

The event, co-organised by the RHS and the Three Counties Agricultural Society, began life in 1985 as a small local flower show but has grown out of all recognition since then.

Now celebrities abound, led this year by the charismatic Irishman Diarmuid Gavin, who will be heading the bill in the show's interactive design theatre tomorrow, where he will be talking to host James Alexander-Sinclair and tackling a mystery challenge live on stage.

Another of gardening's big names, Chris Beardshaw, a former student and lecturer at Pershore College, has been busy over the past few weeks building a Victorian themed garden that will be unveiled at the show.

Celebrating the rural skills and landscapes of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, the exhibit even includes a meadow with sheep.

The show has long been recognised as a champion of up-and-coming design talents and to encourage new designers it launched the Borders Without Gardens competition in 2006.

Eleven quality schemes have entered this year, including one influenced by the James Bond movie Casino Royale.

As ever, the show gardens are among the event's highlights and one features a swimming pool and a sunken retreat in the style of a Hobbit's garden.

The RHS Malvern Floral Marquee is where the mass of spectacular blooms is to be found, as around 100 of the country's top nurseries display their finest.

Other attractions include floral art, dramatic table settings, plant pavilions, food and wine arcades, pottery workshops and craft displays.

Add to this about 600 tradestands selling everything from ride-on mowers to pocket-sized dibbers and you can see why everything in the garden (show) is lovely, whatever the weather.

l Malvern Spring Gardening Show on the Three Counties Showground, is open 9am-6pm Friday-Sunday. On the day admission £16, £14 and £13.50. Children under 15, free.