Sometimes I like to stop by Star Nursery for no particular reason. Killing time in between rows of plants, flowers, and trees is like visiting an “instant park” with fresh air, new smells, and scenery that contrast sharply with the urban landscape outside.
It’s quiet and calm from the moment I walk through the front door. And there’s something comforting about the subtle scent of fertilizer and plant food that greets each customer. But the backlot is where the greenery is — and a welcome change of pace as Las Vegas continues to set heat records. You see some of the familiar staples of desert landscaping: varieties of cacti, agave plants, and succulents as well as the ever-present Lantanas in a choice of colors.
Do I know much about plants? I bought a few from Star Nursery while designing our backyard and I’ve already forgotten their names. (The exception is the Mexican lime tree in the corner, which has yet to grow any limes.) The layout is a bit haphazard with a few surprises, including fruit trees and grapevines advertising the likes of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Chardonnay — although fantasies of making wine with my own grapes drift away almost immediately. I’m not here to work. I’m here to relax. (And we’ve got bars to help you out with that anyway.)
By comparison, Moon Valley Nurseries feels more like an attraction. You’re greeted by metal dinosaur sculptures and the engaging aroma of hibiscus and rose bushes that line the entrance. The stairs descend to a huge 12-acre lot — dense, lush, and full of vegetation you won’t see anywhere else in Vegas. You could almost get lost in the aisle-like walkways between the towering trees that dominate the business. Moon Valley Nurseries, a Phoenix-based chain, is actually the largest grower of box trees in the United States with 300,000 sold annually.
For now, I’ll stick with my stubborn Mexican Lime tree, but I’ll continue to visit these nurseries in Las Vegas. Sometimes you need a splash of nature to interrupt your daily desert routine.
