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There's something about the delicate tulip; Not only does the bloom signal the arrival of spring but can also represent a glimmer of optimism. At the Crystal Hermitage Gardens in Nevada City, California, you can bask in the glory of more than 100 different varieties of this special flower.
Now in full bloom, these 17,000 tulips in 111 different varieties (with 5,000 bedding flowers and plants between them) pull thousands of visitors annually from all over the glove. In 2019, the gardens had a record-breaking visitorship of 13,000 people – and then closed down for two years due to the pandemic. Now, the cliffside gardens with views of Tahoe National Forest and the Yuba River Canyon are back in business.
According to the Crystal Hermitage’s website, lead gardener Nancy Mair says, ‘We blend tulips with a rainbow of complementary pansies, wisteria, rhododendrons, azaleas, peonies, dogwood trees and the fabulous cherry tree, so that guests enjoy a different garden in each terrace.’
Visitors explore at their own pace, walking past picturesque pools, waterfalls, statues, and a quaint chapel inspired by the Porziuncola Little Church of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy. There are a number of steps between the garden terraces which make the site not wholly wheelchair accessible, but a limited accessibility blogger named Jeri is quoted on the website as saying, ‘I believe there is enough access to make it worth a visit.’
Besides the gardens, this is also a wedding site and the Ananda Meditation Retreat center. (Yoga guru Swami Kriyananda is also buried on the property.)
You must pre-purchase tickets online; no sales on site. Open until May 8, daily 10am to 5pm.