It's like a colorful dance, the way the bright blooms sway in the wind.

Tulips are not native to Arkansas, perhaps one reason this springtime explosion of red and purple and yellow attracts so many visitors.

Garvan Woodland Gardens sits on 210 acres right on the shore of Lake Hamilton. The property belonged to the family of Verna Cook Garvan. She took over after her father died in a 1934 auto accident.

In 1956, Verna began to plant an impressive collection of shrubs, flowers and trees. Before her death in 1993, she turned the entire place over to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture.

"Probably 1985 was when she actually signed the trust agreement with the university," explains Marla Crider, director of marketing. "And at that time when the property was appraised, it was worth $25 million. And that tells a story in itself. The woman was dedicated to the property and not to the dollar."

Crider says preparation for the tulip extravaganza takes almost two months. Each of the 100,000 plus bulbs is planted by hand in December and January. The colorful blooms will last until the end of April.

Crider continues, "Especially this season we have had even more folks come out and visit the gardens because they're tired of old man winter. They're ready for Mother Nature to take over and do her handiwork. And we think she's done a pretty good job."

"It's like you've been in hibernation and then you come out and see so much beauty, "says Jane Fisher.

Fisher and Jackie Barringer both traveled from Little Rock to see the tulips. They say the gardens are impressive even after the tulips are gone.

Barringer says, "The dogwoods will be out next. And then they'll be the azaleas and the rhododendrons. And in the fall you have the chrysanthemums. So there's beauty here all times of the year."

Fisher adds, "It just gives you a sense of peace and nature and the beauty of everything that's created by God.