"A new, colorful coffee table book." -Plainview Daily Herald "Celebrates parks and horticultural collections around the state." -Associated Press "Highly recommended" -Midwest Book Review Populated by wildflowers and roses, water lilies and cacti, the public gardens of Texas offer some of the most diverse designs and varieties of plant specimens found in the United States. In this lushly photographed volume, Elvin McDonald, one of the country's finest horticultural experts, provides an intimate tour of the breathtaking Texas gardens. From the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham to the Forbidden Gardens in Katy and the tropical conservatory in the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, McDonald details more than thirty public gardens throughout Texas, examining the histories, layouts, designs, and plantings unique to each. Each garden visited in this volume is open to the public, inviting readers to venture out and experience the grandeur and beauty of these natural spaces for themselves. Containing more than two hundred color photos, this gorgeous collection is perfect for all seasons. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elvin McDonald is an editor at large for Better Homes and Gardens. The recipient of the Chicago Horticultural Society's Hutchinson Medal for lifetime achievement, McDonald was also named to the Garden Writers Association Hall of Fame and has designed gardens for celebrities and public agencies. He is the author, editor, photographer, or publisher of hundreds of gardening books, which earned him the nickname Dean of American Garden Editors. McDonald lives in Des Moines, Iowa. ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS Kevin Vandivier earned a degree in photojournalism from the University of Texas at Austin. His photography has been featured in magazines across the country, including Newsweek, Time, Life, and Popular Photography. He is the photo editor at Texas Highways magazine and lives in Lakeway, Texas, with his wife. Earl Nottingham is an award-winning photographer whose work has been published across the country. He holds a bachelor of science degree in photography from East Texas State University and a master of photography degree from Professional Photographers of America. He lives in Temple, Texas, with his wife and son.