Nursery hopping in Phoenix

Spring in Phoenix is prime time for nursery shopping|Nora Burba Trulsson and Sharon Cohoon

Why go in spring: April is prime time for nursery hopping, plus you’ll still beat the heat.

Perennial favorite: Founded in 1938, family-run Berridge Nurseries (4647 E. Camelback Rd.; berridgenursery.com or 602/952-8080) is a beloved Arcadia neighborhood go-to spot for hundreds of varieties of roses and aridregion plants.

There’s more: A rambling greenhouse is crammed with flowering houseplants; look for garden furniture and accessories throughout the nursery.

Mark your calendar: On April 18, Berridge hosts Art in the Garden, a day of gardening exhibits and cooking demos.

Just breathe: Arcadia, near Camelback Mountain, is dotted with old orange and grapefruit groves; April is usually peak bloom time.

Or get your heart rate up: Hike up Camelback Mountain’s strenuous Summit Trail (1.2 miles one way; phoenix.gov/parks/hikecmlb.html) for city vistas; the Echo Canyon Parkway trailhead is a fourminute drive from Berridge.

GARDEN FEVER AND BEYOND 

• Dress up your backyard:
  Browse On the Veranda’s sprawling warehouse, filled with Euro-style garden furniture, antiques, containers, arbors, and pedestals. Get ideas for outdoor dining pavilions from detailed vignettes. Closed Sun; 4748 E. Indian School Rd.; 602/955-8690.
• Take time to Refuel:
  At Over Easy, chef Aaron May puts a gourmet spin on the breakfast diner. Dig into toasted brioche with spinach, fried egg, and bacon, washed down with cinnamon- and cardamom- spiked iced coffee. $; 4031 N. 40th St.; 602/468-3447.
• Shop for the Arcadia look:
  Overstuffed sofas, burlap and linen light fixtures, garden furniture, and even stylish hostess aprons give the Willows Home & Garden a sleek, slouchy-French vibe. Closed Sun; 3743 E. Indian School Rd.; 602/334-1345.
• Get your culture fix:
  Stroll the sculpture garden at Shemer Art Center and Museum, a 1919 Arcadia estate transformed into a city arts facility. You’ll see work by Arizona artists, not to mention killer views of Camelback Mountain. Closed Sun; free; 5005 E. Camelback Rd.; phoenix.gov/shemer