Flower tourism is blooming (no pun intended) and these U.S. destinations should be on your list

Spring is coming and, with it, some world-class flower blooms. Flower tourism is on the rise as travelers are timing trips to catch landscapes at their most colorful, whether that's Japan’s iconic cherry blossoms or the lush lavender fields of Provence. The travel experts at Lonely Planet have spotlighted the most spectacular floral destinations in the world, and two U.S. spots made the list for their unforgettable blooms.

Heritage Museums & Gardens on scenic Cape Cod is a must-see between early May and mid-June, when you’ll find yourself walking through a sea of rhododendrons in bloom. The dazzling display traces back to horticulturist Charles Dexter, who moved to the Cape after learning he had a weak heart and limited time left. What followed was an extraordinary 22-year project to create cold-hardy rhododendron hybrids.

Today, thousands of his seedlings form the backbone of the garden’s famous Dexter Rhododendron Garden. In late spring, the shrubs explode with color, from soft whites and buttery yellows to electric pinks and deep purples. Even outside rhododendron season, the gardens put on a show. Daylilies arrive in midsummer. Hydrangeas carry the color through early fall. By autumn, foliage takes over in warm reds and golds. You can wander nature trails, explore sensory gardens or ride the historic Looff carousel that has been spinning for more than a century.

Further south, spring arrives with equal drama at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Here, the main event is a breathtaking display of about 150,000 tulips spread across 210 acres of lakeside woodland. The first hints of the season appear in March as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths pop up across the grounds. Soon after, the tulips take center stage. Pathways wind through endless waves of color, like a magnificent floral rainbow.

Classic triumph tulips make an appearance, but the gardens also showcase plenty of unusual varieties. You can spot frilly fringed tulips, peony-like double tulips, elegant lily-flowered blooms and flamboyant parrot tulips with ruffled petals.

If you're seeking nature’s most photogenic moments, you don’t have to leave the U.S. to find world-class flower displays. Time it right, and you can step straight into a living bouquet.