There are quite few theories regarding the origin of Mothers Day and here a just a few of them:

In the 16th century people travelled back to their mother church on Laetare Sunday. This practice was called "gone a-mothering". Whether it was the origin of the terms 'Mothering Sunday' or 'Mothers Day' is unknown.

Since neolithic times, there has been a religious festival celebrating motherhood throughout Europe. The Romans celebrated the mother Goddess Cybele during March. Mothering Sunday became part of the liturgical calendar on Laetare Sunday when most of Europe converted to Christianity. Laetare Sunday is on fourth Sunday of lent in honour of the Virgin Mary.

Other names connected with Mothers Day are Refreshment Sunday, Rose Sunday and Simnel Sunday. Rose Sunday is probably where the tradition of giving flowers to Mums has come from. Bouquets of flowers were given to all mothers in the church congregation.

Today Mothers Day is very much a commercial ocassion, and for a wholesale florist, is the biggest flower festival of the year by far. Unlike other ocassions, (like Valentines Day & red roses), there is no specific variety of flower associated with Mothers Day. The most popular flower colours are pink, white, yellow, peach and creams. This year Mothers Day in the UK is March 14th. Other countries in the world have their own Mothering Sunday on various other dates throughout the year.