For more than half a century, the lush, green oasis at the southeast corner of International and Willow avenues in northeast Fresno in some ways represented a defiance of northward urban sprawl.
The 17 acres of mostly untouched lands instead promoted greenery — functioning primarily as a large plant nursery, as well as on-site housing for family members working at Willow Gardens Nursery.
“There used to be nothing else out here,” said Danielle DePrima, who has been heading up operations of Willow Gardens Nursery for the past 11 years.
But after 55 years of serving local gardeners, plant enthusiasts and countless homeowners who were looking to greenify their homes, Willow Gardens Nursery is shutting down.
DePrima, whose grandparents founded the nursery and whose father has been the owner the past 30-plus years, said the nursery’s land lease is set to expire at the end of the year, and there has been interest from other family members to use the land in other ways.
The recent passing of co-founder Nancy DePrima also played a factor why the land lease was not renewed, DePrima said.
After more than 50 years in business, Willow Gardens Nursery on Willow Avenue at International in Clovis announced that it will close after their lease is up this December. The nursery opened in 1974.
“It’s going to be really hard for all of our family to see this place go because our grandparents created it — out of love. It was their passion; it was for the family,” DePrima said. “I think all of our family has worked out here one time or another. My dad did so much work in growing it.
“We like to think the community loves us, and from some of the feedback we’ve received, they do love us. But I’ve had some time to think about things and process it, and I think it’s just the end of an era.”
Danielle DePrima, operator of Willow Gardens Nursery, announced this week that the plant nursery would be closing with the business’ land lease set to expire at the end of the 2026 calendar year. Willow Gardens Nursery was founded by DePrima’s grandparents, John and Nancy, and has been around for 50-plus years.
Surrounded by sprawl
At the opposite corner of WiIlow Gardens Nursery is one of the Fresno area’s premier schools in Clovis North High, occupying 96 acres.
Across the street northbound of the nursery is Clovis Hills north campus.
Clovis Community College is just to the west.
And in a southwest direction from the nursery is a collection of homes all valued seemingly at $500,000-plus.
None of which existed in the mid-1990s when DePrima’s father, Frank, took over the business from his parents.
The nursery’s origins date back to the early 1970s when landscaper John DePrima and his wife, Nancy, set out to build a localized plant business from the ground up.
Starting out in a modest structure that would later house the nursery’s succulent collection, the couple established the footprint for what would grow into one of the region’s largest independent plant suppliers.
In its early days, Willow Gardens Nursery also was a community attraction with a retail shop and even a petting zoo that brought families out to what once was the northern edge of Fresno.
“We’d been around so long, people who grew up coming here as kids were still coming back as adults, and coming back as grandparents and bringing their grandchildren,” DePrima said. “That was special to see, and to hear their stories.”
After more than 50 years in business, Willow Gardens Nursery on Willow Avenue at International in Clovis announced that it will close after their lease is up this December. The nursery opened in 1974.
Family operation
Under Frank DePrima’s leadership, the nursery expanded, adding acres dedicated to mature boxed trees, bulk soil and rock bins, shade houses, and specialized green spaces.
A serious car accident from 2015 impacted Frank’s health, prompting Danielle DePrima to come aboard and keep the multi-generational, family-owned business going.
“Never really thought that this is what I’d be doing,” said Danielle, a Buchanan High and Fresno State alumnus who was a finance major in college.
But Danielle eventually learned how to run the family business and added her own twist, giving the place a more luxurious and sophisticated feel that matched her personal style. Among her ideas was holding a holiday boutique that highlighted fancy Christmas trees at the nursery.
Through it all, Willow Gardens Nursery continued to serve as a local go-to source for inventory such as pots, plants and trees, but also for expert advice on navigating local soil conditions and water restrictions.
Willow Gardens Nursery plans to operate through Christmas and already has been marking down inventory.
Its closure signals the end of a long-standing family legacy that helped literally shape the physical landscape of the Valley for more than 50 years.
“I do think it’ll be missed by a lot of people,” DePrima said. “I know I’m going to miss it.”
After more than 50 years in business, Willow Gardens Nursery on Willow Avenue at International in Clovis announced that it will close after their lease is up this December. The nursery opened in 1974.