High-Wattage Bulbs

Forget the expense and hassle of traveling to Holland to see tulips. Holland comes to Southern California at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, which claims to have the largest outdoor tulip planting in the region.

Some 20,000 tulips representing 71 varieties--Flaming Parrots, Portofinos and others are blooming now--can be seen along the Tulip Promenade in the Van de Kamp Courtyard. The display includes three new varieties, “Moonshine,” “Rosalie” and “Flaming Purissima.”

In January, Descanso gardeners planted bulbs from Holland best suited for the Southern California climate.

Descanso’s Tulip Mania is part of its annual Spring Festival of Flowers, which continues through Sunday. The spring planting of 46,000 bulks includes Dutch iris, daffodils and hyacinths. --JEANNINE STEIN

Admission to Descanso Gardens is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, $1 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. For information, call (818) 952-4401.