Located on the east side of Tucson, Mesquite Valley Growers is a wonderful place to brush up on your photography skills, given the twenty acres of property to peruse.
Having asked permission to take photos with each visit, I can attest to the fact that the staff are usually genuine and welcoming. Internet reviews for service fluctuate, however reviews for aesthetics are always high.
It's just a gorgeous place.
Experienced nurserymen float about answering any questions you may have and most seem interested in helping any way they can. The nursery layout is signed well and self explanatory. And, the garden arrangements are inviting. Clusters of pottery shine brightly in the desert sun.
Having asked permission to take photos with each visit, I can attest to the fact that the staff are usually genuine and welcoming. Internet reviews for service fluctuate, however reviews for aesthetics are always high.
It's just a gorgeous place.
Experienced nurserymen float about answering any questions you may have and most seem interested in helping any way they can. The nursery layout is signed well and self explanatory. And, the garden arrangements are inviting. Clusters of pottery shine brightly in the desert sun.
Working fountains make the ambiance zen. I've spent hours there...even in the heat of summer...pretending I'm somewhere on a tropical island!
Pottery of all shapes and sizes are affordably priced.
Certainly the reason most people go to a nursery is for the plants!
The selection is vast: Flowering annuals and perennials, flowering shrubs, shade trees, citrus and stone fruit trees, groundcovers, cacti and succulents, evergreens, native plants, tropical plants, bonsai, orchids and indoor house plants. Also, an array of soils, fertilizers and the like.
The selection is vast: Flowering annuals and perennials, flowering shrubs, shade trees, citrus and stone fruit trees, groundcovers, cacti and succulents, evergreens, native plants, tropical plants, bonsai, orchids and indoor house plants. Also, an array of soils, fertilizers and the like.
On one lucky visit, I picked up several blood orange citrus trees just as they were hauling them away to replant and double the price. They're still alive and doing wonderfully.
However, my favorite photo subjects have to be the butterflies. A white sulfur landed so gently nearby and made my day.
Milkweed flowers call Monarchs and Queens in droves.
But once you look closely, it’s not that hard to tell the difference between Monarchs and Queens.
First, Queens appear solid orange compared to the varying shades of a Monarch. In the photo above, notice how with their wings folded, the Queens’ solid dark orange is interrupted with occasional white dots–nothing like the striking stained glass veins and color pattern of the Monarch below.
First, Queens appear solid orange compared to the varying shades of a Monarch. In the photo above, notice how with their wings folded, the Queens’ solid dark orange is interrupted with occasional white dots–nothing like the striking stained glass veins and color pattern of the Monarch below.
So if you are at a loss for photographic subject matter, head over to 8005 East Speedway Blv. in Tucson and take along the camera. No doubt, you'll have a blast.