Austin

Fred and Jennifer Myers's Monet-inspired garden might have French accents, but it also has a Texas drawl. In place of European cypresses, the Myerses substituted Texas yaupon hollies as accents to their entry and chose bluebells to lend color to the flagstone walk. Famed artist Vincent van Gogh might also have been at home here. An outdoor bed provides an ideal venue for viewing the state's starry nights.

The Umlauf Sculpture Garden is certain to carve out a place in the hearts of visitors who discover this Austin treasure. Hidden near a busy street, the garden was a gift from sculptor Charles Umlauf, who taught at the University of Texas for 40 years. Jasmine arbors and a cascading waterfall beckon visitors to explore the garden.

Hidden behind one of Austin's historical houses is a garden that offers peace of mind. Garden bricks arranged in a circular pattern provide visual interest, but also symbolize wholeness, the owner says. The provocative aroma from an arbor covered in jasmine invites serenity.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was a pet project of Claudia Taylor (Lady Bird) Johnson, wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th U.S. president. She started the garden in 1982 as a tribute to nature. In 23 gardens 400 plant species, from Texas bluebonnets to purple coneflowers, help tell the story of the American West.