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In Minnesota, Mother’s Day isn’t just a holiday — it’s a green light. It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the official start of planting season, the day we finally trust that winter is truly behind us.

For gardeners, Mother’s Day marks the beginning of a new season of growth. The greenhouse is alive with color. The ground is finally warm enough to work. And the shrubs? They’re blooming right on cue, as if they’ve been waiting for this exact moment to put on a show.

If you’re looking to kick off gardening season with plants that deliver immediate impact, spring-blooming shrubs are where it’s at. These aren’t the “plant now, enjoy later” varieties — these are blooming now, ready to transform your yard the moment they go in the ground.

Here are our favorite spring bloomers, timed perfectly for Mother’s Day planting.

Bloomerang Lilac (Syringa)

• Bloom time: Spring, with a second flush in summer and fall
• Why we love it: Reblooming lilac that doesn’t quit
• Care: Full sun. Average soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Prune lightly after the first spring flush if needed. Low-maintenance once established.

Traditional lilacs bloom once in spring and call it a season. Bloomerang lilacs bloom in spring, take a short break, then bloom again in summer and fall. Fragrant, classic lilac blooms that keep coming back — without the massive size of old-fashioned varieties.

Perfect for: Smaller yards, pollinator gardens, anyone who wants lilac fragrance all season long.

Bud & Bloom Roses (Rosa)

• Bloom time: Blooming at purchase, continues through fall
• Why we love it: No waiting — instant gratification
• Care: Full sun (6+ hours). Well-draining soil. Water regularly during the first season. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Winter hardy and disease-resistant.

Most roses take a year to settle in before they really perform. Bud & Bloom roses arrive covered in buds and blooms, ready to make an impact the day you plant them. These are bred specifically to be blooming in time for Mother’s Day, so you get color now and all season long.

Perfect for: Impatient gardeners, Mother’s Day gifts, adding instant color to beds and borders.

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

• Bloom time: Spring to early summer
• Why we love it: Delicate, shade-loving charm
• Care: Part to full shade. Foliage may go dormant by midsummer in hot, dry conditions — this is normal. Mark the spot so you don’t accidentally dig them up later. Low-maintenance and deer-resistant.

Bleeding hearts are one of the most beloved spring perennials for a reason. The heart-shaped flowers dangle from arching stems like tiny lanterns, blooming in soft pink or crisp white. They thrive in shade — a beautiful solution for the parts of your yard where most flowering plants struggle.

Perfect for: Shade gardens, woodland edges, planting under trees and along north-facing foundations.

PJM Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘PJM’)

• Bloom time: Early spring
• Why we love it: Tough, reliable, and stunning in bloom
• Care: Part shade to full sun (morning sun is ideal). Acidic, well-draining soil. Water during dry spells. Prune lightly after blooming if needed.

PJM rhododendrons are one of the most cold-hardy rhododendron varieties available — bred specifically to survive Minnesota winters. In early spring, they’re covered in vibrant pink-purple blooms that signal the true arrival of the season. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure and turns burgundy in winter.

Perfect for: Foundation plantings, evergreen structure, adding early spring color to shaded areas.

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

• Bloom time: Spring
• Why we love it: Explosion of color in every shade imaginable
• Care: Part shade (morning sun, afternoon shade is ideal). Acidic, well-draining soil. Water regularly during the first season and during dry spells. Avoid planting too deep — the root ball should sit slightly above ground level.

When azaleas bloom, they don’t hold back. The entire shrub becomes a mass of color — pink, coral, white, red, purple — so dense you can barely see the foliage underneath. They’re show-stoppers in spring and provide attractive green structure the rest of the season.

Perfect for: Woodland gardens, adding dramatic spring color, planting in groups for maximum impact.

Bud & Bloom Clematis (Clematis)

• Bloom time: Blooming at purchase, continues through summer
• Why we love it: Vertical color
• Care: Full sun to part shade (roots prefer cool shade, tops want sun). Provide support (trellis, fence, obelisk). Water regularly during the first season. Mulch around the base to keep roots cool. Prune according to variety (ask us which group yours is in).

Clematis vines are beloved for their showy flowers, but they can take a year or two to really get going. Bud & Bloom clematis arrives already flowering, giving you instant vertical color on trellises, fences, and arbors. Large, vibrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue.

Perfect for: Vertical gardening, adding height to borders, covering fences and arbors with color.

Bud & Bloom Hydrangea (Hydrangea)

• Bloom time: Blooming at purchase, continues through summer
• Why we love it: Big blooms, guaranteed
• Care: Part shade to full sun (afternoon shade is ideal in hot climates). Water regularly — hydrangeas love hydration! Mulch to retain soil moisture. Prune according to variety (some bloom on old wood, some on new — ask us which type you have).

Hydrangeas are known for their massive flower heads, but they don’t always bloom reliably in their first year. Bud & Bloom hydrangeas are specially grown to be covered in buds and blooms at the time of purchase — no waiting, no wondering if they’ll perform. Shades of pink, blue, white, and purple depending on variety and soil pH.

Perfect for: Shaded borders, foundation plantings, creating lush, cottage-garden vibes.

Mother’s Day: The Busiest (and Best) Time of Year

Mother’s Day is our busiest time of year at Sunnyside Gardens, and there’s a reason for that. It’s when the greenhouse is at its peak — overflowing with color, humming with energy, filled with plants that are ready to go in the ground right now. It’s when gardening season officially begins, and everyone is itching to get their hands dirty.

If you’re planning to plant this Mother’s Day weekend, come early. The selection is incredible, but it moves fast. Bring the family. Make it a tradition. Pick out shrubs together. Start building the garden you’ve been dreaming about all winter.

Spring Blooms That Last

These spring-blooming shrubs aren’t just beautiful for a week and done. They’re perennials and woody plants that will come back year after year, growing stronger, blooming more abundantly, and becoming anchors in your landscape.

Plant them this Mother’s Day, and you’re not just celebrating the holiday — you’re starting a tradition. Every spring, they’ll bloom again. Every May, you’ll remember the day you planted them. And every year, your garden will get a little more beautiful.