The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Taking the University to the People
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11th Annual Real Gardens for Real People Garden Tour
Saturday, March 31, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Download the 2012 Tour Guide



Enjoy a scenic drive featuring beautiful mountain vista views, as you travel through this self-guided tour of seven inspiring, real gardens designed and created by local Master Gardeners. Pick-up an extensive plant list and enjoy interactive seminars at each garden. Ask the experts your questions about beautiful, yet water-wise and environmentally friendly gardening techniques!

These gardens are unique and imaginative, using the principles of Master Gardener training to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert. Experts will be available at each garden to educate attendees on the topics of composting, attracting birds and wildlife, growing vegetables, container gardening and water gardening. Each garden features water attractions as well as unique art, metal sculpture and mosaic pieces.

WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: This year’s tour will begin at 10101 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255 in the new school garden being developed in partnership between Master Gardeners and the children at Copper Ridge Elementary. The six additional gardens are located in private homes in the North Scottsdale area.

COST: $25 pre-tour, at selected locations and $30 on tour day at Copper Ridge Elementary.

TOUR GUIDE: The 2012 Real Gardens for Real People Tour Guide is now available for download. You can also pick up a tour guide on the day of the tour at Copper Ridge Elementary School - 10101 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255. Begin your tour at any of the seven gardens listed in the tour guide.

Garden Highlights for the Real Gardens for Real People 2012 Tour



TRAILBLAZING GARDEN
At Copper Ridge School, in three short months, an arid, brown passageway has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor classroom or "Living Laboratory and Gathering Place." These gardens are a perfect example of what can be done in our schools in a short period of time with the power of an idea and willing volunteers.


NATURE'S BOUNTYDownload the plant list for Nature's Bounty
Specimen cacti and succulents in the garden play a symphony of subtle colors of pale green to purple. Water flows among rocks from a sweeping multi-level river-like feature to the pool below, a refreshing juxtaposition to the 180 degree view of saguaros dotted across the desert preserve against the McDowell Mountains.


TERRITORIAL OASISDownload the plant list for Territorial Oasis
Experience wide-open Arizona living. You know you've arrived when you see lush shades of green in desert plants, citrus, and cacti that are punctuated with blue sky and water. A lily pond with koi swimming among the blooms and well-placed colorful annuals all maximize the enjoyment of this desert garden.


TRANQUIL RETREATDownload the plant list for Traquil Retreat
This owner gardens in harmony with her land. She relocated native plants from the building area to protect the original natural vegetation around her property. The front garden has native plants that attract the butterflies, cardinals, quail and hummingbirds. In the spring, abundant wildflowers pop up: blue lupines, pink penstemon, purple verbena and yellow desert marigolds.


DESERT SERENITYDownload the plant list for Desert Serenity
The house is perfectly tucked into a desert garden that blends seamlessly into the greater desert landscape. Toward the front door, you're in a magic courtyard of native plants exuding color and charm. Native plants are in prime condition providing color and texture year round. Strategically placed plantings and multiple water features create a sense of tranquility and attract myriad bird species.


WILDLIFE PARADISEDownload the plant list for Wildlife Paradise
A pool looks over the garden that is filled with flowering shrubs, vines, agaves, cacti and other succulents, some turf and a pond softly bubbling punctuated with bright water lily blossoms. The succulent and cactus garden offers an endless scope for learning about unusual specimens. The garden is eclectic, relatively low maintenance, and an example of the great variety of plants that can thrive in the desert with the proper care and irrigation especially in our hot summers.


THE COLLECTOR'S CANVASDownload the plant list for the Collector's Canvas
Imagine hundreds of cactus and succulents clustered in recycled vases, wine boxes, pots, jars, tea cups and containers in every size shape and color. You start to get the feeling of this unique garden. Follow the granite path lined with desert wild flowers and specimen cactus to the opening into the magic garden. This garden is the artist's canvas and everywhere are the handprints and brush strokes of a passionate Master Gardener.


Tickets are available for purchase at the following locations.

You can also download a printable list.



SE PHOENIX / MESA/ GILBERT
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension 602-827-8200 (4341 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix)
Gardeners World 602-437-0700 (3401 E. Baseline Rd, Phoenix)
A&P Nurseries 480-839-5362 (2645 W. Baseline Rd, Mesa)
A&P Nurseries 480-396-8800 (6129 E. Brown Rd, Mesa)
A&P Nurseries 480-892-7939 (2601 E. Baseline Rd, Gilbert)
Harper’s Nursery 480-964-4909 (1830 E. McKellips Rd, Mesa)

EAST SCOTTSDALE / CAVE CREEK / NE PHOENIX
Desert Gardens Nursery 602-569-1300 (21222 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix)
Black Mountain Nursery 480-585-3740 (4840 E. Dynamite Blvd, Cave Creek)
North Scottsdale Nursery & Cactus 480-585-0754 (25601 N. Scottsdale Rd, (Scottsdale)
UPS Store 480-473-7500 (28150 N. Alma School Pkwy #103, Scottsdale)

S SCOTTSDALE / EAST & CENTRAL PHOENIX
Bakers Nursery 602-955-4500 (3414 N. 40th St, Phoenix)
Berridge Nursery 602-952-8080 (4647 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix)
Harpers Nursery 480-946-3481 (2529 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale)
Melrose Pharmacy 602-277-4714 (704 W. Montecito Ave, Phoenix)
Southwest Gardener 602-279-9510 (2809 N. 15th Ave, Phoenix)

GLENDALE / PEORIA / SUN CITY / SUN CITY WEST
McKeown Landscape 602-889-4700 (8028 W. Thunderbird, Peoria)
Linden Tree Nursery 623-566-2248 (11150 W. Beardsley Rd, Sun City)
Master Gardeners (In PORA Bldg) 623-546-1672 (13815 Camino del Sol, Sun City West) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until noon



VENDORS AND GARDEN LOCATIONS









Upcoming Events

Purchase tickets for the 2012 RGRP tour at these locations
Gardening Events in the Valley
Master Gardener Training Class
RGRP promo picture