Wander Minnesota: The Beginning of Blooms

The long winter slowed the arrival of spring and all things spring-like, including the much-needed beauty of perennial flowers and bulbs. But at last they're making an appearance. Over the weekend, I visited the Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, where the bulbs were bursting out, and signs of future floral glories to come.

If you haven't visited, the Munsinger Clemens Gardens are just south of St. Cloud on Highway 10, and they're well worth a visit. The gardens have two levels.

The upper level, along the road, is the Virginia Clemens Gardens, and it's a more formal, stately garden, almost like something you'd expect to see on an English royal estate.

In places, there are only tantalizing hints of what will appear over the next few weeks.

But in other spots, spring has sprung, whether it's one solitary blossom…

or exuberant rows filled with color.

Taking the paths downhill from the Clemens Gardens, you come to the Munsinger Gardens, which run along the Mississippi River.

These are much less formal, almost whimsical in layout, and come complete with a rustic log cabin.

There are fountains in this garden too, but they're completely different from the more traditionally elegant ones in the Clemens Gardens.

Trails wind down to the river, and there are plenty of hanging swings to take a break and enjoy the view.

A bridge over a babbling brook, a wishing well…

And a heart full of flowers.

The Munsinger Clemens Gardens are open now through fall daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m., and admission is free. When I was there over the weekend, the tulips were in various stages—some almost done, some barely open. But many other plants looked on the verge of blossoming, and it won't be long before the annuals arrive.

What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.