When we think of Mother’s Day, visions of flowers automatically pop into our heads. In addition to giving mom the night off from cooking, showering her with flowers is a great way to show you care. But gift-giving can get expensive. According to the National Retail Federation (April 2026), “consumer spending on Mother’s Day is expected to reach a record $38 billion this year.” That’s a lot of cards and flowers! When you consider that the average cut flower bouquet lasts about one to two weeks, it might be a better idea to choose flowers with a bit more longevity.
Perennial flowers come back year after year. Some of these plants bloom once each year, with flowers lasting a couple of weeks. Others will bloom throughout the growing season. In both cases, you can give mom a gift that will keep on giving throughout the years. You may score favorite child status as she gazes out at the garden and sees your gift in bloom. Fortunately, Mother’s Day marks the unofficial start of gardening season, when it is generally considered past the last frost and safe to start planting all types of flowers in your garden. Spring is also the perfect time to plant perennials. This will give time for the plant’s roots to become established before the heat of summer sets in.
Roses are always a favorite flower, but read the plant tag. Some roses are climbers and will need some type of support, so you’ll have to add a trellis to your gift list. Ask questions at the local garden nursery. You can find out which types of roses are fussy and which ones are easy to grow. Of course, if your mom has a green thumb, she may be up for the challenge of caring for a unique classic rose. Hanging baskets full of flowers are another popular choice, but make sure mom has a garden hook or another way to display your gift. You can also use hanging baskets as an easy way to fill a large pot or urn. Simply place the entire container in the urn, but remove the plastic hanger parts.
Another thing to consider when buying mom flowers for her garden is the sun requirements for the plant. Does her yard get a lot of sun, or is it mostly shade? Most gardens have a mix of shady and sunny sections. Often, a part of the garden will be sunny in the morning with shade in the afternoon, and another section will have this situation in reverse. If you have no idea if her garden is sunny or shady, it might mean you need to spend more time with your mom. But don’t be overwhelmed by trying to figure out which plants need sun or shade. Pull out the tag from the plant’s soil and read it before you buy. This tag will give you a lot of information about the plant’s individual needs. If the tag says “full sun”, it will bloom best with at least six hours of direct sunlight. A plant that is listed as part-shade will perform best with two to four hours of sunlight per day. These part-shade plants will be happiest where there is morning sun and a little shade in the afternoon. Afternoon sun can be too harsh on these plants, and they will start to wilt and beg you for water and shade.
While perennial plants last for years, annuals can provide a pop of color in a bare spot of the garden. Often, annuals will bloom their little hearts out until the first fall frost. Mom can cut a bouquet for a vase full of flowers, and this will prompt the plant to produce even more flowers. Many annual flowers, such as zinnias, marigolds, and cosmos, will produce seeds that can be collected at the end of the season to be saved for next year’s garden. In the meantime, they will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
Last of all, don’t forget to pack a shovel. You don’t want your gift to be extra work for mom. Offer to help her plant her new gift, and she will enjoy her time in the garden with her new favorite child.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
