Michael Hiel - Owner, Founder, Certified Plant Professional

Mike Hiel moved to Montana in 1977 upon graduating from Northern Illinois University. For many years he worked with the State of Montana in the reclamation division of abandon mines. He worked in the nursery trade during his time in college and after in Minnesota. In 1988 he opened Shades of Green landscaping and nursery which split to become Gardenwerks. He was the co-founder of Growing Friends of Helena and a past president of the Montana Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) as well as a certified plant professional with MNLA. He is known around Helena not only for his extensive plant knowledge but also for his community involvement and philanthropy. In short, he is the backbone and spirit of Gardenwerks with over 30 years in the green industry and…just happy to be here and gardening. And also an award winning film producer…who knew.

Peter Hiel - Designer/Foreman, Certified Plant Professional

At the tender age of 12, Pete was forced into hard labor at Gardenwerks.  Perhaps the lingering effects of Stockholm syndrome force Peter to share his father’s passion for the green business or perhaps it is genetic, but his creative spirit and problem solving skills are second to none in the industry as you will find out if you work with him. He is a Helena native who holds a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Design from Montana State University, but he still can not escape the working end of a shovel.

Mae Clark - Garden Centre Manager, Certified Plant Professional

After an Odyessean-length search for a Garden Centre Manager, we are happy to have found Mae. Or maybe she found us.  Mae has been involved in the nursery and landscape industry since graduating from the horticulture and landscape design program at Montana State University in 2007.   She struck off on her own odyssey after college where she worked and managed a variety of garden centers from Oregon to Massachusetts, but like all good epics, the hero returns to find what she was looking for was at home all along.  She is a certified plant professional with the MNLA and most importantly…a dirt biker.

Caroline Wallace - Designer, MNLA President

Another wonderful addition and easy fit to the Gardenwerks family is the talented Caroline Wallace. She comes as an ambassador from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where her love for plants and design were seeded on her parents’ rural farm and cultivated at Virginia Tech. She earned a degree in Landscape Architecture in 2010 and a certificate in permaculture design in 2013. Caroline’s passion lies in designing beautiful, edible, and resource-wise outdoor living and production spaces. She turned her back on moonshine and castrated turkeys to bring her deep-rooted belief in the value of community, collaboration, and a pressing need for communities to be more self-reliant to the Big Sky Country. Thanks Caroline.

Tim Buswell - Foreman, ICPI Concrete Paver Installer Certified

Another son of Helena and seasoned Gardenwerks employee is the talented Tim Buswell.  He has been in the industry since 2005 and holds a B.A. in Design Management from Arizona State University. His attention to detail is his superpower as his walls and patios will attest. His good looks you ask…well they’re a blessing and a curse, but all part of the package.

Delisa Hiel - Farmer Florist

Gardenwerks truly became a family affair when Delisa rejoined the team in 2018.  Delisa dreamed up, installed and manages our flower farm.  She has a passion for sustainable agriculture, growing flowers and creating artisanal designs with those blooms.  She has a degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Design from MSU- Bozeman.  After years of full time floristry and grave digging, she returned to her roots at Gardenwerks.  When she’s not arms deep in dirt and blooms, you can find her enjoying travel, hiking, a cup tea, yoga and spending time with her pups.

Ryan Jennings - The Wizard

Mike likes to hire Jack-of-all-trades, but Ryan is perhaps the Jackiest. He is a Mad Max wrenching, artisan welding, craft beer brewing, powder slashing, truth seeking student of life who we are fortunate to work with and when you meet him you will immediately notice a truly honest and inquisitive soul. Hailing from Wooster, Massachusetts he has traveled the farthest from home to be with us. And let’s not forget this creative junky’s bachelor of fine arts degree from MSU.