Families make greenhouse visit a Mother's Day tradition

#gardendesign #people #lifestyle #home #flowerfarmer

May 12, 2026

WINTER, Wis. (KQDS-TV) -- Flowers are a staple gift on Mother's Day, but taking your mom to a greenhouse might make her day bloom a little brighter.

Nestled in the woods just outside of a town of 300, the Winter Greenhouse still finds a way to attract thousands of people each year.

"Well, in 1984 we started," said Jim Wilson, a founding member and general manager of the Winter Greenhouse. "I came here in 1978 from Canada. We're a couple of Danes and a couple of German folk, and myself. We had just one small greenhouse, started very small. Right away, we started to grow perennials."

The greenhouse opens for the season at the end of April, but May is one of their busiest months.

"Mother's Day is one of them," said Wilson. "Memorial day probably has the most traffic. Those three weeks of May tend to be our busiest."

For the last 4 years, Every Rich has been taking her mom and Grandmother to this greenhouse.

"It's tradition," said Every Rich. "We're a tradition family."

"It's so beautiful, it's such an incredible space," said Jennifer Petit, Every's mom.

They start their day simply with breakfast, before taking that drive from Hayward to Winter every Mother's Day.

"I look forward to it every year," said Rich. "To come here on Mother's Day with my mom and my Grandma. She means a lot and she teaches me to do a lot of things. Even when I'm sad or something she's always there for me, so it means a lot."

"Honestly, like a blessing, really," said Wilson. "We're just really grateful. I would never expected this when I came here. Didn't even expect to make a greenhouse. It brings so much happiness to so many people, and so satisfying for us to work together."

Even my own family has made this greenhouse an unforgettable part of every Mother's Day plan.

"Grandma, me, and you have been here ever since you've been little for every Mother's Day," said Amy Gordon, my mom.