Author: hannosgarden

We drove up to Santa Barbara this afternoon to pick up a pot of Coreopsis gigantea.

I spent a few days restoring a sloping garden bed outside the kitchen that wraps around the porch. Over the years, the dogs have stomped out the original plants that came with the house. The plants I used are a combination of heirloom plants, specimens from Armstrong Nursery in Thousand Oaks and some plants from the Dome Hepot.

About 25 years ago, my mom bought some cacti from a garage sale, which have lived in terra cotta pots their whole lives. I put these along the bottom of the slopping mound. I’m hoping they will help control the erosion once they fill in.

Sundancer daisy is native to Arizona and the southwest. The long, top-heavy, flower stems sway in the wind. The grassy-looking blades of leaves add a nice texture. These plants grow to about three feet in diameter.

This salvia is native to Australia and attracts butterflies and humming birds.

At the top of the mound is this beauty, Correa pulchella–a fuchsia and another native plant of Australia. The leaves are heart-shaped and blue-green. The flowers are smaller and a soft bubble gum pink. This plant reminds me a bit of Cape fuchsia. This is one of my favorite plants on Earth – highly recommended.

Around the corner is a pair of beautiful peach-colored Bougainvillea.

I filled in the gaps with this sturdy ground cover, Myoporum. I was told it’s OK to walk on this plant.

July 31, 2023 UPDATE:

Here is what the Bougainvillea looks like almost five years later–‘Orange King,’ ‘California Gold’ and ‘Thai Delight.’ There are a few branches of magenta mixed in there possibly from the root stock, I guess.

March 25, 2025 UPDATE:

Over the years, we’ve added more plants to the flower bed. Some have done very well, while others just died. Most of the cacti from the first planting did not make it – too stressful for them. Successful plants include lavender, geranium, aloe, Senecio Blue chalk sticks, trailing ice plant, Australian fuchsia, Russelia equisetiformis and salvia. I’ll be trimming the overflow back to the fence line, shortly.

There are all kinds of little animals using the dense shrubs for cover, including rabbits, ground squirrels and other rodents, as well as lots of small birds and lizards.

Our daylilies are ready to go.

Tulips are among the most beloved and iconic spring flowers, gracing gardens with their bright colors, graceful forms, and cheerful presence after a long winter. Their popularity is no accident—tulips combine beauty, versatility, and reliability in a way few other flowers can match, making them one of the best choices for any spring landscape.

One of the greatest advantages of tulips is the stunning variety they offer. With more than 3,000 registered cultivars, gardeners can choose from nearly every color imaginable—brilliant reds, sunny yellows, soft pastels, deep purples, and even variegated or bi-color blooms. Their shapes also vary widely, from traditional cup-shaped flowers to fringed, lily-flowered, double-petaled, and parrot-style blooms. This diversity allows gardeners to design striking color displays and tailor their gardens to specific aesthetic themes.

Tulips are also remarkably easy to grow, making them ideal for gardeners of all experience levels. Planted as bulbs in the fall, tulips require minimal care over winter and burst into life with vibrant blooms in early to mid-spring. They thrive in most well-draining soils and sunlight-rich locations, rewarding gardeners with a reliable show year after year. For those who prefer low-maintenance gardening, tulips are an excellent choice—once planted, they simply follow their natural cycle.

Another reason tulips shine in spring gardens is their ability to create dramatic, coordinated displays. They pair beautifully with other spring favorites such as daffodils, hyacinths, and pansies. When layered in garden beds, arranged in borders, or planted in large sweeping drifts, tulips bring movement, color, and visual impact to any outdoor space. Their uniform height and clean lines also make them perfect for more formal garden designs.

Tulips offer emotional and symbolic value as well. Emerging each year just as winter fades, they represent renewal, hope, and the promise of warmer days ahead. Their uplifting presence can transform a garden into a refreshing and energizing space, making them a favorite for both hobby gardeners and landscape designers.

Finally, tulips are exceptional as cut flowers. Whether arranged in bold, modern bouquets or classic spring centerpieces, they bring elegance and color indoors. This versatility extends their usefulness beyond the garden, providing beauty that can be enjoyed throughout the home.

For their dazzling variety, ease of growing, seasonal symbolism, and ability to enhance any landscape, tulips truly are one of the finest flowers for spring gardens—reliable, radiant, and a beloved sign of springtime’s arrival.

References:

1. HOW TO GROW TULIPS: Beginners Guide to Planting, Caring, and Enjoying beautiful Tulipa species by Larry Pat
   
2. GROWING TULIPS: How to Plant, Nurture, and Enjoy Vibrant Blooms Every Season by Renzo Caspian
   
3. Home Gardener’s Perennials & Bulbs: The Complete Guide to Growing 58 Flowers in Your Backyard (Creative Homeowner) Step-by-Step Photos & Information to Design & Maintain Your Garden by Miranda Smith