Every Saturday before Mother’s Day, an annual plant sale outside of Garlough Environmental Magnet School in West St. Paul includes student-made Mother’s Day cards for sale and a potting station where people can create their own container ensembles of marigolds, geraniums, ferns and more just in time for Mom’s special day.

“The hanging baskets are also very popular for Mother’s Day, a lot of people come for those,” says Beth Ernst, treasurer of Garlough Environmental Magnet School Parent Teacher Organization.

The organization’s annual fundraiser this Saturday will raise money for outdoor education, and it’s one of several plant-related activities happening around the Twin Cities on Mother’s Day weekend.

Here are other floral-related options:

The annual Mother’s Day Bonsai Show

Moms will have two options for viewing plants and flowers at Como Park’s Marjorie McNeely Conservatory this weekend.

One of those options is the annual Mother’s Day Bonsai Show that will showcase miniature masterpieces from the Minnesota Bonsai Society.

The tiny trees, shaped over the years into both classic and creative interpretations, will be on display at Como’s Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

Bonsai experts will be on hand to answer questions and share tips.

The Conservatory, located in Como Park at 1225 Estabrook Drive in St. Paul, is currently open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Info at comozooconservatory.org/como/mothers-day-bonsai-show.

A cottage garden at the Spring Flower Show

Head over to the Conservatory’s Sunken Garden for the next stop on our Mother’s Day plant and flower tour.

The second installation of the two-part Spring Flower Show 2025 is now in bloom through June 8.

This refresh includes a cottage garden collection of flowers in purple, blue and white flowers, including blue delphinium and purple foxglove.

The Sunken Garden, recently renovated to improve accessibility, is an option for Moms with mobility issues as well as for everyone else in the family.

While admission to the Conservatory is free, a voluntary donation of $4 for an adult and $2 for a child is appreciated.

St. Paul Farmers’ Market

Head to the St. Paul Farmers’ Market with or for Mom this weekend: There will be a free flower pot painting activity for kids during the market, which is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Farmers’ Market, which also has plants and flowers for sale, is located at 290 Fifth St. E. in Lowertown, with free parking at 420 E. Prince St. Info at stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

Tulips at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

It’s a bit of a drive from the east metro — about 35 miles from St. Paul — but the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska is traditionally a popular destination for Mother’s Day as people come out to see the tulips in bloom.

“Tulips are at peak right now,” said Lynette Kalsnes, a spokesperson for the arboretum, “and it seems like everything is in bloom, including our crabapples, lilacs, daffodils and redbuds. It’s pretty glorious.”

It’s not too early to head out now with Mom.

“We’re seeing people coming out with three generations including moms and grandmas this week,” Kalsnes said on Wednesday.

Advance tickets are recommended. General admission to the arboretum for non-members is $20 ($25 at the gate, if parking capacity allows). Admission is free for members and ages 15 and under accompanied by an adult. More info/purchase tickets at arb.umn.edu.

Plant sales

The Garlough Plant Sale, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday outside the school at 1740 Charlton St. in West St. Paul, is still in need of volunteers. Sign up at tinyurl.com/gemsplantsale25.

If you’re driving out to Chaska to see the masses of tulips, the arboretum is also set to host a plant sale with some unique finds over the weekend.

The 57th Annual Arboretum Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday near the Farm at the Arb at the Chanhassen entrance.

Horticultural experts will be at the sale to answer questions

The sale is free to attend, but tickets are required; at press time, there were open spots remaining for Friday afternoon and on Saturday. Info/tickets at arb.umn.edu/events/plantsale.

Highlights include several varieties of University of Minnesota-introduced apple and fruit trees, grapes, azaleas and shrubs, including some newer introductions like Kudos apple trees that are hard to find elsewhere.

The sale also features a selection of annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, herbs, lilies, roses, hostas, Minnesota natives and trees.