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