Stop me if you’ve already heard this. If there’s one thing I cannot stand, it’s being cold. I grew up in a suburb of Denver, and to me, the unforgiving winters felt Siberian. Scraping ice from my windshield; staggering through blowing, drifting snow; white-knuckle drives on black ice; frozen snot and frozen fingers—all of these still give me anxiety. The only thing that got me through those bleak winter months was anticipating the first signs of spring, which, at our house, came in the form of tulips and hyacinths peeking their little green heads up. Once those harbingers of warmer temperatures appeared, I could let my guard down. To this day, those two flowers make me happy.

I’ve said it a million times: I would rather have a few months of intense heat than anything below 50 degrees, so Arizona is the perfect place for me. Of the many great experiences that my job brings me, topping my list is scouting gardens with the Valley’s top landscape pros. There is such an array of possibilities in gardens of the Southwest, and it feeds my soul to experience these landscapes with the artists who created them. 

On the pages ahead, it is our pleasure to share some of the stunning possibilities of the Sonoran landscape. From untamed Sedona splendor to a cheerful Beverly Hills-inspired estate, we hope to inspire the gardener within you, whether you prefer tailored formality or the wilder side of the true Sonoran Desert. 

For additional inspiration, we hope you’ll join us at the annual Phoenix Home & Garden Garden Tour on Saturday, April 12.  We’ve got a lineup that represents the best gardens in the Valley. For ticket information, visit phgmag.com/garden-tour. 

John Roark

Editor-in-chief