More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the "Bloom 2007" gardening event in the Phoenix Park, in Dublin, over the June bank holiday weekend.
At the formal launch of the €1.5 million event yesterday, Minister for Agriculture and Food Mary Coughlan said she expected the event would be as spectacular in its own way as the Ryder Cup.
She said the gardening market had grown by more than 70 per cent in the past four years, to almost €1 billion, and was a very important part of the agriculture industry here.
Angela Kennedy, chairman of Bord Bia, the major sponsors of the event, said "Bloom 2007" would take place on 70 acres in the Phoenix Park.
"It will be a truly world-class event that will dazzle and inspire both serious horticulturists and novice gardeners," she said.
"It will match the quality and high standards of the top gardening shows in the UK such as Chelsea, bringing together the best of Irish and international landscape gardeners, designers, horticultural producers, artisan crafts and food."
She said that there would be an assortment of 20 stunning show gardens, many with interactive features. In addition there would be a speciality arts and crafts area, a sculpture exhibition, a retail area, indoor displays, and a spectacular nursery and floral display.
"The event will also feature the best Ireland has to offer in the way of food, as Bord Bia will host a large-scale food market and speciality food pavilion," she said.
Aiden Cotter, chief executive of the Irish Food Board, said the event had attracted other major sponsors such as Keelings, Tesco, Pfizer and Fáilte Ireland.
There will be a special competition where local authorities, town councils and city councils can showcase their work in a hanging basket.
Garden designers taking part include Elma Fenton, Anthony Ryan, Kildare Growers, Naomi Coad, the OPW, Anne Kennedy, Fáilte Ireland and the Senior College Dún Laoghaire. The show runs on June 1st-4th.