St. Croix Garden Tour

Around eight of the most stunning private gardens in and around Stillwater will be on display during this 19th annual event. It's a benefit for FamilyMeans, which helps more than 26,000 people a year through family counseling, mental health services, financial counseling, caregiving support and youth and family enrichment programs.

When: July 16-17, 2011
Where: Around Stillwater Tickets: $15
Info: familymeans.org

Summit Avenue Garden Stroll and Tea

This biennial event highlights a dozen or so gardens on St. Paul's historic Summit Avenue and includes a tea with a display of Victorian dresses. The Summit Avenue Residential Preservation Association sponsors the stroll to benefit neighborhood projects.

When: June 26, 2011
Where: Summit Avenue, St. Paul
Tickets: $20 (tentative)
Info: sarpa.org

Twin Cities Pond and Landscape Tour

No bug spray required for this virtual visit to creative outdoor living spaces throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Gather inspired ideas for landscaping and water gardens year-round, and connect with the companies that make them happen. The online tour is updated every July. Freewill donations go to Children's Cancer Research Fund.

When: Ongoing
Where: Online
Tickets: Free
Info: tcpondandlandscapetour.com

Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival

This family-friendly event pays tribute to Japan's annual Obon holiday, an important cultural and family holiday during which ancestral spirits are said to revisit their families for three days. Families pay their respects at grave sites and put out offerings of food and drink on a tray before household altars. They also light lanterns or small fires outside the house to symbolically guide the souls home. On the last evening of Obon, lanterns again guide the spirits back to their resting places. The Lantern Lighting Festival encompasses Japanese tradition through music, dance, crafts, martial arts and lanterns. Japanese food and dozens of cultural items will be for sale. The day will culminate at dusk with the main event: the lantern lighting. Six stone lanterns and floating paper lanterns throughout the Japanese garden pond and the Frog Pond will create a vision of peacefulness and harmony to commemorate the dead.

When: Aug. 21, 2011
Where: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
Tickets: $5-$3
Info: comozooconservatory.org

Macy's and Bachman's Spring Flower Show

An annual rite of spring at the downtown Minneapolis Macy's store. The eighth-floor auditorium is transformed into a blooming paradise, courtesy of Bachman's, with a different theme every year.

When: March 27-April 10, 2011
Where: 700 Nicollet Mall
Tickets: Free
Info: Macys.com

Minnesota Water Garden Tour

This specialized gardening niche continues to grow. The self-guided tour features about 10 water gardens throughout the Twin Cities.

When: July 30-31, 2011
Where: Twin Cities metro area
Tickets: $15 (tentative)
Info: mwgs.org

Artful Garden Tour

The Hudson Women's Club annual art and garden event begins at the Octagon House Museum and continues on to several private gardens in Hudson and River Falls, Wis. Local artists mingle with the flowers and tourgoers, displaying their work and conducting demonstration.

When: June 25-26, 2011
Where: Hudson and River Falls, Wis.
Tickets: $12
Info: Dolores Taavola, 715-386-7787

Seasonal Flower Shows at Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

From Chrysanthemums in the fall to azaleas in the winter to tulips in the spring, the conservatory's seasonal shows spotlight the best of the blooms. And some people don't think it's really the holidays unless they've paid a visit to the Holiday Flower Show with its red and white poinsettias in the conservatory's sunken garden.

When: Fall, Oct. 9-Nov. 28, 2010; Holiday, Dec. 4, 2010-Jan. 23, 2011; Winter, Feb. 5-March 20, 2011; Summer, May 7-Oct. 2, 2011;
Where: Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul
Tickets: Suggested donation $1-$2
Info: comozooconservatory.org

Arboretum Auxiliary Private Garden Tours

Tour picturesque Twin Cities private gardens on air-conditioned buses, then dine al fresco on the terrace at the Arboretum. Three-hour tours depart from the arboretum between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

When: July 10 and 12-13, 2011
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska Tickets: $55
Info: arboretum.umn.edu

Tangletown Garden and Art Tour

A self-guided tour of some of the best gardens in Twin Cities neighborhoods including Lowry Hill, Kenwood and some closer to the garden store. Local artists display their work in outdoor gallery spaces. Proceeds help fund public art, charities and garden projects throughout the Twin Cities. The tour grows every year and is expected to draw more than 1,500 visitors.

When: July 23, 2011
Where: Twin Cities area gardens
Tickets: $25-$30
Info: tangletowngardens.com/tour.html

Great Hall of Orchids

Escape the chill of winter and feast your senses on this display of exquisite orchids grown by Jerry Fischer and Orchids Limited of Plymouth. Many are unique species and hybrids - true living works of art.

When: Jan. 12-March 13, 2011
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska
Tickets: $9; children 15 and under are free
Info: arboretum.umn.edu