LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (AP) — When you think roses, you might think California. But last year, Arizona exported about 75 percent of the rosebushes in the U.S., local rose grower Tyler Francis said.

People may think roses can't grow in the desert heat, but local horticulturist Noelle Johnson has dedicated her work to finding the variations that thrive here.

"So the roses in my garden are put here to see how do they do, and the growers ask me for my feedback," said Johnson, who lives in Chandler. "One of the most exciting things for me is getting free roses in the mail, and I put them in my gard...