Two years ago when ACT staged a play in conjunction with the Flower and Garden Show, I loved coming into the darkness of the theater to sit and listen, in contrast to the lively visual stimulation of display gardens and commercial booths. I emerged refreshed and ready for another shot at the show. My guess is that "Tea and Beverley" will provide that same welcome change of pace, as well as introduce many to a classic garden writer. For those who have long treasured Nichols' books, it will be a delight to hear his words spoken on stage by an actor who slips seamlessly into the role, bringing to life the sophisticated, plant-adoring Nichols.

Perhaps this period drama will inspire all of us to approach the rest of the Flower and Garden Show not just as horticultural extravaganza but as inspired theater. Theatrical means practical in terms of drama on a shoestring. How in the world do display garden designers create so much impact in such little space? Clever optical illusions, such as level changes, partial or see-through gates and fences, and full use of vertical space make small gardens appear roomy. When I view these gardens where innovation and sleight-of-hand make small spaces live large, I think of how Seattle Children's Theatre staging makes so much of so little, one of the reasons I've long enjoyed its sets more than sumptuous ones at larger, richer theaters. One big advantage of this year's 50 percent larger show is wider aisles and gardens-in-the-round, so we'll be able to get a good, close look from varying angles, all the better to ponder how the designers work their magic.

Now In Bloom Cyclamen coum, a diminutive, hardy version of the florists' cyclamen C. persicum, is a tuberous perennial that forms winter-blooming colonies if left to naturalize. The delicate pink-to-magenta flowers emerge in January, and are shortly joined by heart-shaped, marbled leaves with striking variegation. Woodland conditions of semi-shade and rich soil encourage months of bloom; the plants go dormant and disappear in summer.

Highlights of the expanded show include:

• More and larger display gardens. It's a treat to have Heronswood and Christianson's nurseries exhibit in the same year. University of Washington architecture students designed a utilitarian urban garden with cultural influences, and this year's Arboretum Foundation garden, designed by the winning trio of Tory Galloway, Toni Case and Thomas Allsopp, features a historic Seattle theme.

• Two new entrances to prevent long lines. Ticket-holders are encouraged to use the skybridge entrance, with its domed arch and views out to the water.

• Plant shoppers (and who isn't?) will enjoy a bigger marketplace with many new vendors.

• The Great Plant Picks display (more on this next week) anchors the new Central Park area right inside the entrance.

• A juried show of garden gates and floral-motif art gallery have drawn impressive entries from artists throughout the Northwest.

• Two new features, sure to be popular, are "Meet the Plants," an educational exhibit of new plant introductions, and the "Cool Plant Corner," which is centrally cashiered with hot new plants from small specialty growers.

The details: The Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 6-10 at the Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place, Downtown Seattle. 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices: $18, adults at the door; $15, advance tickets. All-show pass for $59.

Note: "Tea and Beverley" costs $20, including tea and crumpets, and will be presented at 2:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 8 (you need a show ticket to attend). For information or to order tickets, call the show hotline at 800-229-6311, or check the event Web site at www.gardenshow.com.

Valerie Easton is a horticultural librarian who writes about plants and gardens for Pacific Northwest magazine. She is co-author of "Artists in Their Gardens" (Sasquatch Books). Her e-mail address is vjeaston@aol.com.