Speakers
Anna Leggatt
Bio: Anna has a BSc. in Botany from London University, a Diploma in Nature Interpretation from Humber College and a Diploma in Horticulture from Guelph.
Anne Spiegel
Anne Spiegel has gardened in New York State for more than 40 years in a dramatic natural setting.
Barbara Cooper & Bella Seiden
Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden have been gardening together in Toronto for more than 25 years.
Ben O'Brien
Ben O’Brien is a gardener, landscape designer, and the owner of Wild by Design. He creates artfully crafted, richly planted, and lovingly tended naturalistic gardens inspired by the landscape of Prince Edward County in Ontario, where he lives and works.
Beginning in 2018, Ben conducted on-going experiments using recycled materials, sand and gravel as growing media. Results of his research have implications for growing healthy plants and maintaining 4-season gardens which are ecologically responsible as well as heat and drought resistant.
Ben is a member of Toronto Botanical Garden and the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS). He has been awarded recognition by the Perennial Plant Association as its 2025 Emerging Perennial Professional.
| 2025 - 11 | Growing in Grit |
Bill McNamara
Carole and Ian Bainbridge
Drs Carole and Ian Bainbridge are both keen rock gardeners from southwest Scotland.
Chris Gardner
Cliff Booker
Cliff Booker has been utterly consumed with the study, cultivation, propagation, exhibition and photography of alpine plants since 1984 and, with his wife Sue, has travelled to many mountain locations around the world to feed his passion (addiction).
Colleen Cirillo
Colleen has spent many years in the world of nature interpretation, protection and restoration, including 12 years at Toronto and Region Conservation and 2.5 years at Ontario Nature.
Connor Smith
Connor Smith began his horticulture career working at a garden centre in Scotland.