In 1976, Chris Shonnard took a job working in the nursery industry where he met Lynnette. A mutual love of gardening and horticulture made them a perfect match and they married in 1979. In 1984, they purchased the existing property, and just like that, Shonnard’s Nursery began! Chris and Lynnette raised their children, Andrea and Joel, in the family business and they became an integral part of daily operations from a young age.
In 2000, the store and greenhouses were rebuilt with the goal of improving the customer’s shopping experience. The ultimate dream was to make gardening accessible to everyone – from ease of shopping to sharing knowledge. Operations have continued to expand throughout the years, and we’ve added products and services that tie into our gardening passion. In 2004 we added a holiday lighting division, which has grown to more than 175 displays. In 2014 we opened a new beekeeping department, providing a local option for supplies and bees in the Willamette Valley.
Our customers mean everything to us. We want gardeners at every level to be included in the conversation so that everyone can grow plants with joy, confidence, and success. We are passionate about education. With teamwork and collaboration, we offer learning opportunities through free classes, and video tutorials shared on YouTube.
Furthermore, our dedicated employees are who make our small business operation possible, many of which have been with us for decades. The shared knowledge of our team is what you can trust, and what makes us more than just a garden store. We strive to be a community resource you can rely on.