This collection of red and pink tulips will be a real showstopper each Spring.

About this garden
This mixed tulip border contains a variety of April-blooming tulips with a central mass of dark blue muscari (grape hyacinth).

Taller varieties, such as the lily-flowered 'Aladdin' tulip, are placed in the back of the border, where they won't overshadow the shorter 'Plaisir' tulips.

As you design your tulip garden, remember that a proper color scheme will bring out the best of every bulb you plant. Gardens that use a dominant color with a contrasting secondary color are most effective.

The surprise lily's name, however, actually refers to the way the strap leaves emerge in early summer, then die back completely. Then about six or eight weeks later -- surprise! -- a flower stalk arises, and from its apex nodding pink trumpets unfold, releasing their sweet, candylike fragrance.

These stalks are otherwise unencumbered by leaves, or foliage of any kind, lending the plant one of its other, racier, common names: naked ladies. Oh, my.