13 Top Local, Family-Owned Nurseries in the Valley
Shop local with Arizona-grown, desert-adapted plants from these family-owned nurseries.
By Lori A. Johnson | Photography by Lori A. Johnson
A&P NURSERY
With four locations serving East Valley residents, A&P is the ultimate one-stop shop for gardeners. Plants are available in all categories, from annuals to vines and everything in between. Services include landscape advice, delivery and help with planting. A&P’s extensive selection of garden tools and power equipment may just be the largest in the Valley outside of big-box stores. The Brown Road location even carries pond plants and equipment. Keep an eye on their website for seasonal specials.
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Four Locations: 40370 N. Gantzel Road, Queen Creek; 2601 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert; 2645 W. Baseline Road, West Mesa; 6129 E. Brown Road, East Mesa
ARIZONA CACTUS SALES
A mecca for cactus collectors and aficionados Valley-wide, Arizona Cactus Sales is small but mighty. Fans of night-blooming Echinopsis rejoice when they spot the extensive selection of hybrids, including Schick hybrids made famous via The Huntington Botanical Gardens in California. Trichocereus are also well represented here by such popular hybrids as ‘Flying Saucer’, ‘First Light’ and ‘Dutchman’s Gold’. Adenium, agave and rare collector plants are also available, as is pottery by local artisans. Customers unable to make the trek to Chandler in person can also shop online.
arizonacactussales.com
Hours: Tues.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Location: 1623 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
BERRIDGE NURSERIES
Founded in 1938, Berridge Nurseries is a true family operation and a local favorite of gardeners in Central Phoenix and beyond. One of the nursery’s notable features is its extensive selection of roses, available annually just in time for spring planting. A wide array of garden art and colorful pottery is beautifully displayed throughout the property alongside flowers of every color and type. Don’t miss the indoor plant shop for exotic tropical houseplants, as well as the highly curated selection of botanical-themed interior decor. Services include planting classes, repotting seasonal tips and expert advice.
berridgenursery.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: 4547 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
DESERT FOOTHILLS GARDENS NURSERY
As much a full-service landscaping company as it is a nursery, Desert Foothills specializes in estate-sized desert plants, trees, decor and accessories. While home gardeners can choose from a typical wide selection of colorful ornamentals, as well as cacti and succulents, professional landscapers will find mature specimen plants and trees. Even the garden art is big—sculptures, fountains, pottery and even boulders vie for attention throughout the nursery. Don’t miss the blown glass art pieces and the dazzling selection of smaller rocks and minerals not easily found elsewhere in the Valley.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Location: 33840 N. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek
DESERT HORIZON NURSERY
A true destination for plant lovers in the East Valley and beyond, Desert Horizon has everything a gardener could need—and much more. Stroll the huge property, and take in the charming vignettes of colorful flowers and ornamentals of all varieties, an extensive selection of garden art in every style, and trees ranging from evergreens to palms. Every type of garden is represented here, from fruit trees and vegetables to cactus and succulents. Be sure to check out the greenhouse filled with indoor plants or the waterlily pond near the front entrance.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 19250 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek
DIG IT GARDENS
This funky central Phoenix hangout is more than just a nursery—come for the plants, stay for the street art and murals adorning the building and the community-oriented vibe. Bring your own pot (or buy one from their cute and colorful selection), and Dig It’s friendly staff will repot any indoor or outdoor plant of your choice. You can even host a private event in the garden or attend a workshop or class. Need professional help with your landscape? Let Dig It Design, a full-service in-house design studio, help you create the perfect outdoor space of your own.
Hours: Daily 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 3015 N. 16th St., Phoenix
ELGIN NURSERY AND TREE FARM
This locally owned wholesale and retail nursery has grown its own trees since 1986 on 35 acres in the West Valley. In addition to the wide variety of trees available, the nursery also features an array of cactus, agave and other succulents. Everything for your garden can be found here, from colorful annuals in the spring to seasonal holiday displays in the fall and winter. Enjoy a wide selection of garden art, unique garden-themed gifts and a huge selection of garden tools, soils, amendments, fertilizers, seeds, mulch and much more.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 8606 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix
MOON VALLEY NURSERIES
With nine locations around the Valley and more than 40 in multiple states, there’s sure to be a Moon Valley near you. Established as recently as 1995, Moon Valley is known for its vast selection of trees grown on its farms, often sold in landscape packages to new homeowners. Services include delivery, installation, tree care, design consultations, financing and even rentals for special events. Despite being known for their trees, you’ll also find plants of all types and garden art. If you’re headed to Moon Valley Nurseries, bring a list—they’ve got it all.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 9-5 p.m.
Location: Seven locations Valley-wide
OLD WEST CACTUS FARM
This third-generation family business was formed more than 25 years ago. As its name suggests, Old West specializes in cactus, either bare-root or boxed, especially large specimens destined for residential and commercial landscapes. For the home gardener, smaller plants are also available, as are succulents such as agave and yucca. Pottery and decorative rocks and boulders round out the product offerings. Services include wholesale, delivery and planting. Bring your wish list, as this nursery is huge.
Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: 43608 N. Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix
PLANT STAND OF ARIZONA
Indoor houseplants are the highlight of this family business, which enjoys a dedicated social media following as much for its lush and varied plant selection as for its changing inventory and weekly specials. Cactus, succulents and assorted landscape plants are also plentiful on the 15-acre property, as is a huge selection of indoor and outdoor pottery. Don’t miss the Casa Blanca Boutique, filled with a curated selection of interior decor, gift items and even faux greenery. Grab a cup of coffee or a logo shirt and consider joining a yoga class in the greenhouse. Keep an eye out for local maker markets coming this fall.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed Sunday
Location: 6420 S. 28th St., Phoenix
SUMMERWINDS NURSERY
From annuals to trees and everything in between, you’re sure to find inspiration in one of SummerWinds’ three locations around the Valley (and five more in the Bay area). Depending on the season, you may find specialized selections, such as passion vine, ice plants or aquatic plants that are harder to find elsewhere. A good selection of cactus and succulents is available year-round, as is garden art, pottery, garden tools, soils and other necessities. Services include delivery and custom arrangements.
Hours: Daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Three Locations: 6426 W. Bell Road, Glendale; 3160 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa; 17826 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix
TREELAND NURSERIES
Family-owned and operated for three generations, Treeland offers a huge selection of their own farm-grown trees, as well as plants in all the expected categories. The beautiful grounds feature a waterfall tumbling into a lily pond surrounded by flowering trees and larger-than-life outdoor sculptures. Whimsical garden art is scattered throughout the grounds, and the indoor area stocks a variety of pottery, decor, garden tools and soil. Eye candy is plentiful in the form of colorful annuals, roses, vines, shrubs and more. Cactus and succulents round out the extensive selection of plants.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m., closed Sunday
Location: 2900 S. Country Club Drive, Mesa
WHITFILL NURSERY
Family-owned and operated, this 60-year-old Valley institution includes more than 300 acres of growing grounds in addition to its three nurseries. The property is covered with flowering plants, including vines, roses, hibiscus and bougainvillea. Cactus and agave are abundant, as well. Look for indoor decor, pottery and garden art in many styles scattered throughout the space. Be sure to visit the parrots in the indoor plant greenhouse and keep an eye out for peacocks roaming around—including white ones. Services include landscape design.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Three Locations: 824 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix; 820 N. Cooper Road, Gilbert; 2647 E. Southern Ave., Phoenix
