Gardens and history

The garden-tour season kicks off next weekend with the 10th West End Neighbors Garden Tour in St. Paul. The tour features residential, commercial and public yards and gardens in St. Paul's "Little Bohemia," one of the first neighborhoods in Minnesota, where the first Czech and Slovak immigrants arrived in the 1860s and built their community.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 10, visitors can explore 17 yards and gardens in Little Bohemia. A guidebook and map will be available at the Federation offices, 974 W. 7th St., and the Banfil Office Court, 555 W. 7th St. Other related events and activities will include a plant sale, 974 W. 7th St., and a "pollinator puppet show" at noon and 2 p.m. at the C.S.P.S.Hall, 383 Michigan St.

For more information, visit josfland.com/gardens/bohemia/.

Prince's Minneapolis

Before he made his home at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Prince — and his music — were honed by his hometown of Minneapolis. See three of his early homes and his neighborhood school on a new walking tour, "Prince's Side of the Street: North Minneapolis Landmarks," presented by Preserve Minneapolis. Learn about how growing up in the city shaped Prince's musical career, and how the city's efforts to desegregate schools exposed him to new musical influences and collaborators, resulting in "the Minneapolis Sound" of the late '70s and early '80s. The tour will be offered at 10 a.m. June 11, and again on Sept. 24. $10. Register at Eventbrite.

KIM PALMER

Vintage tile

Tile — practical, durable and artful — has been an important architectural material for centuries. Learn about "Historic Tile: Victorian to Bungalow — Bridging the Old and New Worlds" at an illustrated talk by tile expert Josh Blanc, sponsored by the Twin Cities Bungalow Club. Blanc will focus on the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when Arts & Crafts tile flourished. Topics will include tile uses, products, colors and finishes, plus tips on identifying vintage art tiles, 7 to 8:30 p.m., June 7, Bethlehem Covenant Church, 3141 43rd Av. S., Mpls., $3 (free for members).

Summer flowers

Set the scene for summer at the lake with a floral arrangement inspired by blooms and foliage found in nature, including flower favorites paired with birch and woodsy features. "Lake Country Florals Design Workshop" will be offered 2 to 4 p.m. June 10, in the Design Room at Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. Cost of $50 covers all materials used in your floral creation. Register at bachmans.com.

Peony power

The peonies are in bloom, and hundreds will be on display next weekend during the Minnesota Peony Society Show. Visitors will see everything from traditional favorites to the latest intersectional Itoh hybrids, in countless shades of pink, red, white, coral, burgundy and yellow, all grown in Minnesota gardens. Members will be on hand to answer questions about plant care and peony varieties. The free show will be held 1 to 5 p.m. June 10 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11 at Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. For more information, call 612-861-7600.