Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2014. While the information remains very relevant, a reminder that in 2018, Mother's Day will be on May 13.
May 11 is Mother's Day, so we can all expect line-ups at flower shops that morning (or for the prepared, orders phoned in on the Friday). Flowers symbolize everything from happiness to love, so when it comes to finding the right flower or plant for the woman who has done it all, it starts with her personality.
Gardener Denis Flanagan of Landscape Ontario says finding the perfect Mother's Day gift is finding something your mom will make use of, rather than buying something trendy or popular like roses. (Please, don't get the typical roses this year, unless your mom really, really loves them.)
Below is a list of flowers and plants your mom can keep as a desk decoration, an inspiration for making her day-to-day tasks a lot less stressful or something she can give her love and attention to for the next few weeks (besides you, of course). We've rounded up everything from plants that need little maintenance to flowers she can hang on the porch. And if you're looking for something less in need of care, we also have a list of practical gifts your mom will love as well.
Here Flanagan's top picks for the best flowers for every kind of Mom out there — including yours:
Get Geraniums
The Mom: Traditional
The Flower: Geraniums
Make It Stand Out: Geraniums are also seen as "traditional" flowers at most garden centres. To make your gift stand out, try putting your geraniums into a hanging basket.
Purple Orchids
The Mom: Modern
The Flower: Orchids
Make It Stand Out: If your mom is all business, buy her a vase of purple orchids. She can keep these outside or at her desk at work.
New Mom
The Mom: New mom
The Plant: Baby tears
Make It Stand Out: If there's a new mom in the family, all the attention is usually paid to the new baby. Baby tears have tiny little petals (that look like baby tears), and looks the best in terrariums or in a backyard rock garden.
Wild Momma
The Mom: The wild mom
The Flower: Columbine
Make It Stand Out: If your mom loves bending the rules and lives with a free spirit, columbines will help make any of her spaces stand out.
The Super Busy Mom
The Mom: Busy mom
The Flower: Sedums
Make It Stand Out: Sedums are low in maintenance and need little water. To surprise the mom who does it all, leave her a vase at work or at home.
The Athletic Mom
The Mom: Mom who loves staying active
The Plant: A veggie plant
Make It Stand Out: If it was Mom who drove you to all your soccer games and still manages to keep up with her yoga schedule, she'll appreciate a minimal care veggie plant that she can devote her "free time" to.
The Hugger
The Mom: For the mom who can't stop hugging you
The Flower: Forget-me-nots
Make It Stand Out: We have huggers and then we have HUGGERS. If Mom is the latter and gets super emotional every time she seems you, make her love you even more with a pot of forget-me-nots.
Grandmothers
The Mom: For the g-ma
THE Plant: African violet
Make It Stand Out: A classy flower for a classy lady. Buy your grandmother a bouquet of African violets this Mother's Day.
For The Travel Lover
The Mom: For the mom on the go
THE Plant: Fern
Make It Stand Out: If she loves to travel or spend her time at the family cottage, give her a gift that she can bring with her. Pro tip: Get a glass terrarium.
The Mom Seeking Happiness
The Mom: Mom who has been through it all
The Flower: Sunflower
Make It Stand Out: If 2013 was a tough year for Mom (maybe she lost someone or maybe she went through a divorce), brighten up her day by leaving her breakfast in bed with a bunch of sunflowers.
For The MIL
The Mom: The mother-in-law (who can take a joke)
The Plant: Sansevieria
Make It Stand Out: Sansevierias are basically flowering plants. If your MIL can take a joke, buy her a pot of these and label them, "mother-in-laws tongues".
The Cook
The Mom: Mom who loves to cook
The Plant: Chives
Make It Stand Out: Chives are ideal if your mom loves to get creative in the kitchen. She can also cut up the chives and use them in her next meal.
The Spiritual Mom
The Mom: Spiritual
The Flower: Lilies
Make It Stand Out: If your mom is religious, spiritual, or just trying out meditation for the first time, lilies symbolize passion.
The Budget Lover
The Mom: Mom who stays on budget
The Flower: Hydrangeas
Make It Stand Out: Hydrangeas can last forever (well, for the most part) with proper love and care. If you (and your mom) love fresh flowers but don't like the price that comes with them, opt for pretty purple hydrangeas in a glass vase.
The Mom: Mom who stays on budget
The Flower: Hydrangeas
Make It Stand Out: Hydrangeas can last forever (well, for the most part) with proper love and care. If you (and your mom) love fresh flowers but don't like the price that comes with them, opt for pretty purple hydrangeas in a glass vase.
The Gardener
The Mom: Mom who loves her garden
The Plant: Panicum
Make It Stand Out: If Mom already has her green thumb, she'll obviously know that panicum (a species of grass) was crowned Perennial Plant of the Year. Regardless, she'll appreciate your garden knowledge.