Los Angeles

When Florence Bixby and her husband struck oil in 1921, it was a fortuitous event not just for their personal finances, but for Florence's garden as well. Since money was no object, Florence indulged her fervor for flowers. Contrary to the mode of the day, she kept her garden approachable. One section--dubbed the Friendly Garden--is resplendent with plants given to her by friends. But this Los Angeles garden does have a brush with greatness. The geranium walk's creator also designed sets for Gone With the Wind.

Sherman Gardens

"Hollywood" is a household word known the world over, but few know about the man responsible for naming the city. And just as secret are the gardens that bear his name. Named for California developer Hazelton Sherman, this garden is a riot of color. Scarlet azaleas and pink orchids greet visitors. And this garden hangs on to part of its 1920s past with a section of gate that marked the entrance to Sherman's new community, Hollywoodland.

Miller Garden

In a city that worships youth, the Hortense Miller Garden is still a star. Now in her 90s, Miller started the garden in 1959. With decades of nurturing, the garden blooms with variety. White amaryllis, mermaid roses and bougainvillea all set the stage for a perfect garden performance.

Glass Garden

In Andrew Cao's native Vietnam, salt mines are an integral part of the landscape, and he brings that imagery to his own Los Angeles garden. Piles of crushed white glass reflect in his garden pond. Andrew discovered that it was an effect that shimmered with other possibilities and led him to create impressionistic scenes of flooded rice fields and an ocean coastline.