Bendigo Native Plant Group president Ian Evans said this year’s event would show gardeners exactly what was possible in central Victoria.

“Many gardeners will be surprised at the variety of natives that will happily grow in our warm, dry climate and attract local bids to the garden,” he said.

Mr Evans said the native garden movement had become increasingly popular, bringing more plant species onto the market.

“Thirty years ago the selection of natives for home cultivation was quite limited, but these days there are many new cultivators that make it so much easier for people to embrace native flora,” he said.

BNPG member Sandy Birch said her parents were two early enthusiasts.

“My mum and dad had a native cottage garden and people were blown away you could do that,” she said.

Fellow member Rod Orr said gardening had come a long way since the first native nursery opened in the region more than three decades ago.

“That store really revolutionised native gardening,” he said, pointing out there were now three outlets in town devoted entirely to native plants.

Mr Orr said there was a simple reason for the boom in natives.

“Drought,” he said.

“Once a native garden is established, especially if it is full of locally indigenous varieties, it doesn’t need anything more than natural rainfall and occasional pruning.”

Mr Evans said this weekend’s show would feature around 200 locally-grown plants.

"While it's a little early in the year for a lot of species to be in flower, we'll certainly have a good range of flower colors and foliage types on display," Mr Evans said. 

"That will include different colors of the popular Eremophila Maculata, or spotted Emu Bush, which is very easy to grow in and around Bendigo."

The show will take place at Gateway Park, Kangaroo Flat this Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Admission will cost $3. Children will enter for free.