Project Details
Project Type
Flowers and Retail, Wholesale Nursery
Location
Wonderlake, IL
Structure(s)
Setup/Technology:
- EDDG exterior drop-down guillotine vent
- Double atrium roof vent
- Walk doors, gable overhead doors, and sliding doors
- Interior rollup partition wall system
- Double rail irrigation boom
- Wadsworth SEED Environmental control and weather station
- Hot water heating system/radiant in-floor heat
- Lennox forced-air heaters
- HAF fans
Coverings:
- 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate
- 8mm twin-wall 2UV Clear (Dual atrium roof vents)
- 8mm twin-wall Clear (gable ends, sidewall, remainder of roof)
- Corrugated metal (head house)
- Twin-wall 8mm Clear (interior partitions)
About Goodmark Nurseries
Tucked into the rural outskirts of Wonderlake, Illinois, Goodmark Nurseries has been growing trees—and its business—since 1985.
The nursery initially grew only large specimen shade trees for landscaping projects. By the late 1980s, it had expanded to include a broader mix of small-caliper trees. Container-grown shrubs followed in the early 2000s.
In 2001, the operation grew to more than 900 acres and broadened its container production to include an even wider range of shrubs and perennials.
Today, Goodmark supplies landscapers, municipalities, and select garden centers across the region.
While the nursery’s roots remain in traditional field-grown stock, a new chapter has taken shape—built on in-house propagation powered by greenhouses.
“We start everything we possibly can in-house now,” said Danielle Rivera, Greenhouse & Propagation Manager at Goodmark Nurseries. “That includes trees, shrubs, perennials—you name it.”
Project Background: Building the Greenhouse
Prospiant built Goodmark’s greenhouse in two phases. A two-bay Dual Atrium structure went up in 2020, followed by three additional bays in 2023—for a total of 63,000 square feet of growing space.
Before 2020, Goodmark had never owned a greenhouse. It brought in all its trees as either B&B (ball and burlap) or bare root stock and then grew them out in the field.
But as the cost of starter stock rose and the demand for higher-quality plant material grew, the team recognized the need for more control over its growing process.
Since adding the greenhouse, Goodmark has significantly reduced its plant material costs.
“Now we can root cuttings in-house from our own plant material instead of buying them,” Rivera explained. “We save a lot because we’re using our own stock—and we control the quality.”
The ability to start plants from scratch also gives the team freedom to experiment and fine-tune growing practices. They can trial different growing methods, track success rates, and adjust in real time.
That pays off in healthier plants, better uniformity, and increased confidence in every crop.
Operational Impact and Growing Capabilities
The greenhouse has transformed how Goodmark operates.
“The quality of our trees and plants has improved because we’re starting them ourselves,” Rivera explains. “It’s a huge shift. We now control how we grow things and what they look like when finished. We guide their growth from start to finish.”
Goodmark uses Bay 1 of the greenhouse for the propagation of shrubs, trees, and perennials grown from cuttings, with the majority taken on-site. Bays 2 through 5 house tree liners destined for later planting in the field.
Environmental controls, a weather station, and mobile monitoring apps help Rivera manage temperature, humidity, and venting—something that is especially helpful during Midwest winters.
Because most of the trees and shrubs Rivera works with are deciduous and require a natural dormant period—triggered by shorter daylight hours and cold temperatures—the greenhouse environment must closely mirror outdoor winter conditions. It stays much colder than the cozy, tropical-style greenhouse people often imagine.
Still, the team makes the most of the winter. They take more than 13,000 evergreen cuttings annually—and that number keeps growing.
While other nurseries wait on Mother Nature, Goodmark gets a head start thanks to its greenhouse.
“The heated floors in the propagation bay make a huge difference when taking hardwood cuttings in cold weather because it helps get those roots growing,” Rivera says. “The greenhouse still gets chilly inside, but we’re out of the wind, snow, and rain—so we can keep working.”
Why Prospiant
When it came time to build, Prospiant delivered not only on the structure but also on the partnership.
“With the first build, it was all new. There were a lot of unknowns,” Rivera says. “By the time we built the second phase, we knew everything worked and what to expect. It was copy-paste with a few improvements.”
Goodmark appreciated Prospiant’s flexibility and professionalism throughout the process. From last-minute wiring changes to coordinating with the nursery’s preferred contractors, the build team was responsive, friendly, and fast.
“The crew showed up, said hello every day, and made the whole process smooth. They guided us the whole way and always offered support. It was great to collaborate with them,” Rivera said.
Looking Ahead
Goodmark has no immediate plans to expand the greenhouse again—but the overall operation is growing quickly. The team continues to build more hoop houses, convert land into container holding areas, and start more crops in-house each year.
“Right now, we’re set on space. But as we scale up production, the greenhouse gives us room to try new things,” Rivera says.
One new area for potential growth? Boutique growing for committed clients—offering hard-to-find specialty crops.
The greenhouse also enables Goodmark to grow items that don’t do well in open fields.
“We’ve had trouble sourcing multi-stem trees in the past, for example,” Rivera says. “Now we grow them ourselves—birch, serviceberry, dogwoods—right in the greenhouse. That opens new doors.”
The First Call
Quality, science, and a deep love for the work continue to drive Goodmark forward.
“I have a biology degree and a background in botany. So, for me, this is all about questions, experimentation, and constantly improving,” Rivera said. “There’s so much science to greenhouse growing—and it’s also just fun.”
Her favorite part? The peace and purpose she finds among the plants.
“The greenhouse is my second home. It’s beautiful. You walk in and you feel better. That’s the magic of this place.”
But for Goodmark, the goal isn’t just growth—it’s becoming top of mind.
“Right now, we might be the third or fourth call a buyer makes,” Rivera says. “We want to be the first call. We want our quality to be so good that people say ‘Can I just get everything from Goodmark?’ And with the greenhouse, better quality control, and our excellent staff, we’re getting there.”
If a greenhouse can change how Goodmark Nurseries grows and improve its plant quality, imagine what it can do for you. Let’s start that conversation. Contact us today.
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