With Valentine’s Day not too far in the future, why not give a garden gift to the plant lover in your life — one that won’t fade in a week or so.

It’s too cold for plants and still a bit early to start seeds, but tickets to the MSHS Garden Gala would be a great garden gift. And, MSHS is offering $5 off on ticket price, if you purchase your tickets before Feb. 29. The gala (formerly the very popular Spring at the Inn) will be held April 1 this year at the Vadnais Heights Commons in Vadnais Heights. Catering will once again be from the Lake Elmo Inn.

You have two galas to choose from. The luncheon gala (cost: $65, $55 for MSHS members) will feature a “plant fashion show,” with a wide range of new shrubs, perennials and even a tree or two from Bailey’s Nurseries and Monrovia. These are two premier wholesale nurseries for our area, and both of them are on the cutting edge in plant varieties. There will be more plants to giveaway than ever before, too.

The dinner gala will be hosted by Dale and Ruth Bachman. Dinner includes an expanded menu and a glass of wine, with a price of $75 for MSHS members, $85 for nonmembers.

Gift bags, giveaways, raffles, “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” and wall of wine will be included at both the luncheon and dinner, as well as a silent auction featuring fabulous gifts for gardeners. This is a fun event for garden clubs or plant society members to enjoy.

If you love plants, this is a great way to jump start your enthusiasm for the 2016 season and get inside information on which plants will be new in garden centers and how they will perform in Minnesota gardens. If the one you love loves plants, look no further for a Valentine’s Day gift.

Contact MSHS for more information and registration.