Yes, Road Trips Gardeners: it’s time to begin planning those drives to see the favorite flowers of the season.

Hundreds of poinsettias are promised for the Holiday Flower Show set for December 3, 2011, through January 22, 2012, in the Sunken Garden of the Conservatory at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year the Sunken Garden will take on a frosty, icy theme showcasing two-toned splashed poinsettia cultivars of Ruby Frost, Ice Punch, Premium Ice Crystals along with a sizzling floral spectrum of traditional reds such as Bravo Red, Viking Red, Encore Red, Red Glitter & Jubilee Red.

Those of us who love to paint or photograph plants and flowers might want to consider hitting the Twin Cities for the Artist & Photographer Morning on December 11, 2011. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., artists and photographers can bring in their easels and tripods to work before the conservatory opens to the public. Cost is $5.

See a video about last year’s show here.

(Photo courtesy of Como Park Conservatory)