FRESH FROM THE GARDEN SPRING FASHION GETS FLORAL, FEMININE.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Fashion Editor

In forever-spring L.A., daffodils have been sounding their trumpets for weeks. Ditto for daisies, azaleas and those pretty primroses that are blooming on spring fashions.

A colorful, refreshingly feminine alternative to all the snakeskin and bohemian looks, these florals are more what you'd find in an English garden than a tropical island.

At the Los Angeles studio of designer David Meister, there are flirty cocktail dresses in a floral watercolor print; over on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills are stores filled with elegant silk florals on peasant tops, pants and fringed stoles by European designers such as Emanuel Ungaro and Dolce & Gabbana, and floral-trimmed purses by Ferragamo and Kate Spade.

The neighborhood malls are in full bloom, too. You can find Tahari's mini-floral print skirts in ruffled chiffon - to be worn with a sassy pink leather halter top that exposes the midriff, as well as shoes accented with silk daisies at Bloomingdale's.

At the Gap are flowers on everything from T-shirts to baby dresses, with floral scarves and handbags at Coach, delicate jasmine designs on silk skirts at Banana Republic, and saucy little jersey tops with embroidered roses at junior boutiques like Wet Seal. Mervyn's has recruited Australian artist Ken Done to put flower power on sandals, swimsuits and tote bags.

And you thought florals were always ladylike.

For the office or Sunday brunch, designers such as Liz Claiborne have provided us with conservative sheaths sprinkled with poppies, while other designers are using a floral design on cotton eyelet skirts and shirtwaists to be topped with flower-accented cardigans.

Also fresh from the garden are silk flowers to pin on a pantsuit lapel and cosmetics in hot-house brights to put the roses back in your cheeks.

Like all spring flowers, they'll be fading with summer's first heat wave, so wear them while you can.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Above: Aqua-toned rayon watercolor dress, $69; and flower-bedecked flip-flops, $14.50; are from American Eagle Outfitters. Right: Iridescent shantung bateau-neck dress with ruffled hem is by L.A. designer David Meister.

(3 -- color) Coach brings spring to scarves in paisley floral prints, $58, and cotton solids, $25.

(4 -- 5 -- color) Left: The ruffled look shows up on a geranium-hued goat- suede halter top and floral-print chiffon skirt by Tahari. Above: Liz Claiborne's poppy print sleeveless dress, $119, is at home in the office or at a weekend gathering.

(6 -- color) Baby Gap's floral-appliqued linen-organza dress, $48, and matching hat, $16.50, let the tiniest tots share the beauty of spring.

(7 -- 8 -- color) Australian artist Ken Done brings flower power to tote bags, top, and sandals, above, for Mervyn's.