By Jim McCausland, Sunset senior garden writer

Struck by the beauty of a commercial bulb grower’s private garden several years ago, I asked how new gardeners should use tulips in the landscape (click here for tips on using them in pots). She said the best advice was to start small, planting  just 15 or 20 bulbs in a kidney shape among existing shrubs. When the tulips are in flower, your eye is immediately drawn to them. After they fade, the surrounding plants take over.

In the years since, I’ve seen the wisdom of her words played out many times. In the picture above, you can see how it worked out Marilynne Munro’s garden in Sequim, Washington. Now is the time for you to try something similar: bulbs are still in stores, but not for much longer. Plant now and you’ll have flowers in April.