PLANTS

 When the owners of Green Things cast their sprawling garden center as a place to stage a daily show, it's with good reason. When it comes to natural splendor, few backdrops can hold a candle to its four acres of mesmerizing plant life and 31 environmentally controlled greenhouses set on the banks of the Rillito River. Since taking over the business nearly a decade ago, Jan Westenborg has elevated the customer experience with a staggering array of high-quality product that has turned Green Things into a wondrous playground for amateur and professional horticulturists alike. 

 In addition to growing more than 70 percent of its own plants -- from geraniums and annuals to blooming perennials and poinsettias -- Green Things carries a large selection of pottery, garden art, furniture and fountains. The talented, experienced staff can help customers with everything from container gardens to patio designs. "We are really in the entertainment business," Jan says. "When people shop our store, we want them to enjoy the experience, possibly learn something and be inspired."