(the third option would create some Challenges with some of my planned designs, such as a hedge maze, but it would look real nice for some of the others)
I'm between 2 and 3 but I think you changing the frame around on 2 to indicate rarity or whatever would get at what I like about 3, which is the eye being drawn to the contrast of the frame
yeah I like 2 best looking at these but that's mostly because the contrast on 3 is not doing it any favors, in the same color palette/style a fancy border might look nice