Centuries passed and the canals dried and were covered by the desert’s moving sands before the Pache and Pima tribes took claim to the region. Early pioneer explorers and settlement groups found the area too hostile to stay long, and they moved on to other places. Then in 1878 the Mesa Company, a settlement group of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, arrived and uncovered the Hohokam canals and brought irrigation waters back to the valley and it once again flourished. The church’s settlement town template called for large square blocks that were divided into eight rectangular 11/4 acre parcels to be used as family farms. The 132-foot wide streets enabled ox-drawn wagons to turn around without having to drive to the edge of town to reverse their direction. Within five years of the first arrival there were 300 residents, and the City of Mesa was officially incorporated. The next 30 years saw growth and dramatic change in the city. It outgrew its gardens, and farmlands were developed beyond the city limits. African American, Mexican, Japanese and Chinese families settled here to farm and bring new trades to the community. The canals allowed enough water flow to operate an electric power plant that has been city operated since 1917. Power and water are precious commodities in this region, and the revenue the plant brought to the city purse has paid for many quality public structures and services that are the framework of what is now Arizona’s third argest city. Mesa has an active year-round business and residential community and is also a popular destination for winter vacationers. The area is abundant with activities and interesting places to visit, all adding to its appeal. Here are some of the popular sites and activities visitors enjoy.
Mesa Southwest Museum.
This is one of the state’s premier museums, and it has the largest dinosaur exhibit west of the Mississippi. Among the exhibit features are the 50-foot-high indoor waterfall and life-size, animated dinosaurs including a saber-tooth cat and a Columbian Mammoth. Other highlights include the recreated petrified forest with a Cretaceous aquarium,the Arizona Highways photography collection, a Hohokam Indian dwelling and a simulated Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Visiting and changing exhibits are introduced every quarter.Contact: 80-644-2230, www.mesasouthwestmuseum.com.
Arizona Temple Visitor Center.
The Arizona Temple ground is an area landmark that offers beautifully manicured gardens. The Visitor Center has displays about the LDS church, and two annual events are available to the public at no charge. The spectacular December holiday lights display has over 500,000 sparkling globes decorating the gardens. The Easter Pageant is a musical drama presentation having over 400 cast members and elaborate staging. Contact: 480-964-7164, www.easterpageant.org.
Champlin Fighter Aircraft Collection-Museum of Flight.
This museum houses one of the largest private collections of flyable vintage fighter aircraft. Displays catalog the evolution of this type of airplane from World War II through Vietnam. Contact: 480-924-1940, www.champlinfighter.com.
Park of the Canals.
This 30-acre park is built around a section of the ancient Hohokam Indian canal systems. It features an extensive desert botanical garden with vegetation from the four desert regions.A highlight is the display of 25 different varieties of prickly pear cacti.
Mesa Arts Center-Mesa Contemporary Arts.
This organization hosts eight free contemporary art exhibits per year. It also offers year-round educational workshops, lectures and demonstrations in visual and performing arts. Contact: 408-644-3235.
Professional landscape designers that have expert knowledge in desert plants are hard to come by! This article will provide you with useful tips that will help you find a professional who will work with you to design a desert plant landscape expert in Mesa that contains indigenous, low maintenance plants perfect for your backyard.
Because you live in the desert, you already know that Mesa isn't just a sea of brown sand and tumbleweeds. Many visitors are surprised at the color and variety of plants in Arizona, those that are indigenous and those that are not. There are numerous desert plants that stay green all year long and some even produce colorful, attractive blooms.
Desert plant landscaping in Mesa, Arizona, if done correctly, can bring both beauty and very low maintenance into your backyard. You can start by finding out your USDA zone. USDA stands for United States Department of Agriculture and its zone maps are based on plant hardiness and their ability to thrive in the lowest temperatures of the region you live in. The USDA zone for Mesa, Arizona is 9, so be sure to choose plants that will grow well in that zone.
Most desert plants, including colorful shrubs and bushes, are hardy, drought tolerant, disease resistant and pretty easy to find. Looking for a little help? Here's some information about a popular desert plant that will make a great addition to your desert plant landscaping in Mesa.
Ground Morning Glory, also called Convolvulus Sabatius, is a tender perennial, a beautiful and cascading form of the morning glory. This hardy, non-invasive plant has the same lovely blue flowers you would expect from a morning glory, but this plant is not a climbing vine. Ground Morning Glory will grow to 6 inches tall but spill over other shrubs or the edge of walls in a lovely manner.
The Ground Morning Glory blooms all season long. It is excellent for edging, ground cover or trailing over walls. This desert plant loves the sun, likes good drainage and not too much water. It is extremely drought tolerant, disease resistant and can survive in even the worst desert condition. It also grows well with roses.
If you are still unsure about what will work in your desert plant landscaping in Mesa, there are plenty of online resources that can help you. For instance, many local landscaping companies have expertise in desert landscaping and plants that thrive in the area. They may also have a plant library that contains pictures and full descriptions of each plant. You can gather a lot of ideas from these plant libraries!
While you don't have to be a horticulturist to create a beautiful desert landscape in your backyard, it might be better if you just leave it to the experts. Hiring a professional desert plant landscaping company in Mesa, Arizona might just be your best bet. They can work with you to pick out the best plants that fit your taste, lifestyle and budget - and they can even help you maintain it!
Both John Parker & John Waters are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Waters has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Real Estate and Architecture. John Waters is Principal of Creative Environments Design Landscape, the largest and most respected landscape design company in Arizona. Let our team work with you to design and develop plans for a. John Waters's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.