If your mom appreciates roses, you can get Mother’s Day off to an early start with the Marin Rose Society’s 48th annual rose show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10. Or come and treat yourself or someone special to a beautiful selection of roses.

The event will be held at 340 Bon Air Center in Greenbrae. That’s the stand-alone building that formerly housed Patxi’s Pizza in the Bon Air shopping center.

The first 100 children at the event will receive free miniature roses to grow at home. Blooms from the show will be sold for $1 per stem during the rose bloom sale at 2:30 p.m.

Consulting rosarians will be on hand to answer questions and guests can pick up informative rose-related handouts and check out interactive displays and a rose photography exhibit.

If anyone wants to enter their homegrown roses or a photograph they’ve taken of a rose, make sure to enter them at the event from between 7 and 9:45 a.m. May 10.

You can get in-person tips and guidance in advance of the show by attending the Marin Rose Society’s rose preparation session at the group’s monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross.

“This is your chance to get expert guidance from seasoned horticulture judges Lou Evans and Sandy Simons,” said Marin Rose Society member Andrew Smith, who adds that attendees will “learn how to transport, prepare and exhibit your roses like a pro.”

For those who can’t attend but still want to get insider tips on exhibiting roses and/or photographs, go to marinrose.org/how-to">marinrose.org/how-to for helpful videos.

The Marin Rose Society holds its monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, except for November and December, at the Marin Art and Garden Center at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross. More information at marinrose.org.

Where the wildflowers are

When it comes to spring in Marin, hearts often turn to our hills and valleys and to the profusion of newly blooming wildflowers.The Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) knows this and makes its free downloadable wildflower guide available to anyone who signs up on their website at malt.org.

According to the guide, “when most people think of MALT — or of West Marin — they imagine historic farms and ranches, beautiful barns, pastures dotted with cows or the amazing cheeses or meats produced in the region, but each time MALT protects a farm or ranch forever, we protect so much more — ancient redwood trees, habitat for coho salmon and red-tailed hawks and an amazing array of wildflowers.”

The guide offers about two dozen close-up images of wildflowers like California buttercup; sun cup; creamcups; hound’s tongue; milkmaids; butter and eggs; shooting star; tidy tips; and purple owl’s clover.

If you want to go see these wildflowers for yourself, Matt Dolkas of MALT did a great job creating a fun and user-friendly wildflower hike guide. Go to malt.org/recreation/wildflowers-in-marin-county.

His suggested areas include Bolinas Ridge; Chimney Rock and Tomales Point Trail in the Point Reyes National Seashore; China Camp State Park in San Rafael; Mount Tamalpais State Park; and Ring Mountain in Tiburon, where the unique Tiburon mariposa lily can be found.

Along the way, Dolkas shares his tips on best flower-viewing times, parking directions and, when applicable, weather observations, whether dogs are welcome, links to historical background and what you might expect to see, if you’re lucky, besides wildflowers, such as elephant seals, migrating whales or tule elk.

MALT and Dolkas remind wildflower fans to admire the plants responsibly and to follow the gentle “look, but don’t touch” practice.

• Never pick wildflowers.

• Don’t illegally dig up wildflowers to transplant to your garden.

• Don’t enter private property to view wildflowers. This especially includes private ranches and farms.

• Be aware of sensitive, overused areas and stay on trails and roads during hikes.

Show off

If you have a beautiful or interesting Marin garden or a newly designed Marin home, I’d love to know about it.

Please send an email describing either one (or both), what you love most about it and a photograph or two. I will post the best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published, and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.

PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.