FIRST-time gardeners and seasoned green thumbs formed part of the record crowds that descended on Nambour Showgrounds over the weekend as part of the thirty-second annual Queensland Garden Expo.

Event Manager Marion Beazley said while gate numbers were not yet finalised estimates showed between 38,000 and 40,000 people had embraced the winter sunshine and attended the three-day expo, cementing the 2016 event as the largest one held to-date.

"From the warm and sunny weather to the mix of expert speakers, all of the elements came together perfectly to deliver an increase in visitors of over 10% on 2015," Ms Beazley said.

"We couldn't be happier with the outcome and all feedback indicates that this year's expo has certainly raised the bar."

Ms Beazley said devoted gardening enthusiasts from as far as New Zealand had made the pilgrimage to the Sunshine Coast specifically to attend the Expo.

"Roughly six out of 10 attendees journeyed from outside the region, which has had a really positive impact on the local economy."

"Taking factors like accommodation, food and other discretionary spending into account, we estimate this year's Queensland Garden Expo has generated an economic benefit of more than $4 million for the Sunshine Coast."

Ms Beazley said one of the many highlights from the 2016 event was the unveiling of the landscape garden competition entries, which saw several landscapers transform a simple patch of grass into a spectacular garden space.

"This year, the coveted gold medal was awarded to Dan's Paradise Landscapes, the silver medal went to fellow Yandina-competitor, Waterscapes Australia while Sippy Downs-based landscaper SJ Landscapes took home bronze," she said.

"The talented landscaping teams never fail to impress and somehow always manage to create gardens that capture the imagination."

The free lecture program was also a strong drawcard amongst attendees, with more than 130 lectures and demonstrations delivered by a range of gardening and horticulture experts on eight stages.

"This year's program included everything from a kids' composting workshop with Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis - who attracted much attention in his gnome outfit - right through to a lesson on seasonal sowing from Anne Gibson and a tutorial on creating your own dressings, marinades and sauces from scratch," Ms Beazley said.

"Other high-profile gardening personalities that took to the stage included Gardening Australia's Sophie Thomson and Jerry Coleby-Williams, industry veteran Graham Ross, Gardening Talkback host Annette McFarlane, Phil 'The Garden Guru' Dudman, landscape architect Arno King and horticultural experts Claire Bickle and Noel Burdette."

Ms Beazley said attendees were also wowed by the variety of new plant releases on display at the event, with some eager green thumbs rising early and queueing at the Expo gates to get the first sneak peek.

"The new plant varieties always attract a lot of attention over the three-day event and many of our exhibitors work year-round to come up with new and exciting concepts. This year, the Rainbow Eucalyptus proved particularly popular," she said.

The Queensland Garden Expo is an annual event held every July. To find out more, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.