They're used for some of the city's colourful park displays and flowering traffic islands. Now, the city is giving away tropical plants at the Gage Park Tropical Greenhouse this weekend – as long as you bring your own shovel and container.

The city is preparing to demolish the old greenhouse and transplant its most unique and special plants to the new greenhouse, which should be finished late next summer.

But "many interesting and attractive tropical plants" remain, "free for the digging," the city said.

There is no per-person limit, and as many as 200 plants are available.

Residents who want some plants should wear closed-toe shoes and bring a shovel, gloves and containers.

Show up between 9 a.m. and 12 noon this Saturday, June 3.