Our Story
Willow & Root Garden Center started in 2008 with a simple idea: local, seasonal, and honest — no generic national plant list, and no staff reading off a tag they haven't read themselves.
Pat Nguyen, Founder
Before Willow & Root, Pat spent 15 years managing production at commercial greenhouses across the Treasure Valley — the kind of operation that grows plants by the tens of thousands for big-box shelves. She learned exactly what that model gets right (volume, consistency) and exactly what it gets wrong for an actual home gardener (no real advice, no accountability for what's actually thriving in Boise's climate). In 2008 she leased two acres on the edge of town and opened Willow & Root with a different promise: everyone on staff has to be able to answer a real plant-care question, not just ring up a sale. Eighteen years later, the nursery has grown to 12 acres of growing grounds and greenhouse space, and Pat still walks the benches herself most mornings.
We'd rather carry 40 plant varieties that actually thrive in Boise's Zone 6b/7a climate than 400 that don't. Our benches change with the season because our inventory is real, not a static list that ignores what's actually growing outside.
12 acres of growing grounds and greenhouse space, 1,200+ plant varieties carried across the growing season, and a design and installation team that handles everything from a single struggling houseplant to a full backyard redesign.
Meet the Team
Owner & Head Horticulturist
Pat spent 15 years running production at commercial greenhouses before opening Willow & Root in 2008. She still walks the growing grounds every morning and can tell you, off the top of her head, exactly what's coming into bloom that week.
Greenhouse & Houseplant Manager
Marcus runs the greenhouse and houseplant program, and is the person most customers end up talking to about a struggling fiddle-leaf fig. He believes most houseplant problems are a light problem wearing a watering-schedule disguise.
Landscape Design Lead
Dana leads every landscape design consultation and the planting/installation crew. She trained in horticulture at a regional college and specializes in designing for Boise's dry summers and clay soil rather than fighting them.
Stop by the benches, or reach out about a landscape design consultation.
