This time of year, when the cold and snow still blankets the Northeast, Road Trips Gardeners begin to long for spring. One way to ease the ache is a visit to Northern New England’s Only Annual Flower Show. Opening night is March 10, 2010, with the show open to the public March 11-14, 2010, in The Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore Street, Portland, Maine. This year’s theme is “Gardens Gone Wild!” (The photo, at left, is from one of the exhibitors, Seko’s Creative Garden Designs.)

One of the more interesting lectures on the schedule is “Creating a Medicinal Tea Garden”, starting at 1:30 p.m. on the opening day. Elizabeth Peoples, an herbalist and the owner of Mainely Herbs, will discuss medicinal plants, their healing properties and historical uses as well as how to select the ones best suited for a tea garden. The presentation includes an overview of planting, harvesting, drying and preparing your own special teas.