Maybe you already found your favorite florist in time for Mother’s Day, but if you didn’t, here are five of the Valley’s best-loved flower shops and nurseries, with specialties varying from sweet bouquets and luxe arrangements to professional landscaping services and rare and exotic plants. Go ahead and get your bloom on.
For utterly exquisite arrangements featuring flowers from countries all over the world, including Holland, Germany, New Zealand, and parts of South America, Camelback Flowershop takes the cake (the bouquet?). Able to provide stunning centerpieces, room arrangements, rare and beautiful houseplants, and yes, bouquets, in gorgeous custom vessels, this shop’s staff creates showstoppers in a number of styles, such as European, Pave, Tropical, and Le Grande. The florist can also offer wedding, reception, and other event services. Program Camelback Flowershop’s number into your phone this minute the next time you need to show up somewhere with blooms in hand, as they never disappoint.
Camelback Flowershop is located at 4227 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix (602) 840-4646
Tropica Mango Rare and Exotic Fruit Nursery
For those with green thumbs who prefer to care for plants a little less ordinary, Tropica Nursery is the go-to source in the Southwest for tropical plants and fruit trees, including exotic varieties. Take a look at their extensive selection, which includes mango, guava, passion fruit, bamboo, apricot, cherry, peach, plum, Asian pear, and jujube trees and plants. There are also several kinds of pomegranate, apple, nut, and fig plants to choose from. The truth is, there are just too many varieties to list here, so you’ll have to visit in person to see everything they have. Just remember that part of the fun is the rarity of the plants they offer for sale, so if there’s something you’re in the market for, you had better act fast, because once they’re gone, you’ll just have to wait until next year.
Tropica Nursery is located at 4302 S. Central Avenue in Phoenix (602) 576-6948
With more than 30 years of experience in the floral industry, By the Bunch is an adorable, locally and independently owned shop specializing in special occasion arrangements and even bunches for businesses, delivered to offices on a weekly or other predetermined basis. The staff here pride themselves on tailoring each order to the client’s exact specifications, whether the flowers, colors, scents, size, or all of the above, are the most important. “If you can describe it, we can create it,” they say. Bonus: They also advertise same-day delivery.
By the Bunch is located at 3126 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix (602) 956-6711
Desert Botanical Garden Plant Shop
For blooming cacti and plants that truly symbolize Arizona and the Southwest, the Desert Botanical Garden is an excellent place to hunt for a gift or new house plant – and a location perhaps not many think of as a florist or nursery. The Plant Shop at the DBG does, however, offer a number of unique desert plants (many of which with beautiful blooms) and other wonderful garden tools, accessories, and decorations. For the gardening enthusiast in your life – or maybe even just yourself – this is a great place to shop for seeds, interesting pottery, and other baubles.
The Desert Botanical Garden and Plant Shop are located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix (480) 481-8113
Harper’s Nurseries and Landscape Company
The quaint and long-established Harper’s Nursery has a reputation for being the best of the best when it comes to offering landscaping services and advice. The staff is professional, knowledgeable, and friendly, thanks to Harper’s being a third-generation, family-owned business. They grow the majority of their plants available for sale on their own farm located in Mesa, so you can guarantee the plants, flowers, and trees are healthy and have been well cared for. For do-it-yourself blooms, Harper’s offers the best advice for minimizing your hassle and selecting the best specimens for what you what and need. They offer a garden club, free PDFs on various planting and care tips, and, if you opt for their landscaping services, on their site they advertise a free initial consultation visit.
Harper’s Nursery of Scottsdale is located at 2529 N. Hayden Road (480) 946-3481
