Toronto Botanical Garden

INSTRUCTORS

Partnership
Programs

Sid Baller is the Superintendent at Humber Arboretum and has worked at Humber College for over 20 years. A graduate from the University of Guelph, his specialty is woody plants.

Janet Croken studied with Janice Skinner, completed a two-year teacher training in Fluid Yoga and graduated from the Sutherland-Chan Massage School. Her passion and dedication to explore and increase her knowledge has taken many paths: Continuum Movement Explorations including Butoh, Authentic Movement, and study with White Lodge in Spiritual Psychotherapeutics. She has been practising yoga for 20 years and teaching for seven.

Glenis Dyer, currently the Vice-Chairman of the British Clematis Society and a member of the International Clematis Society, is a self-proclaimed “plantaholic”. Despite an advanced age, Glenis still grows many plants from seed – clematis, peonies, trilliums and other bulbous plants. For the past 20 years she has opened her garden near Stratford-upon-Avon in England for the National Gardens Scheme, raising between £30,000 and £40,000 for charity.

Sean Fox is the Assistant Manager, Horticulturist & Elm Recovery Project Co-ordinator at The Arboretum, University of Guelph. He obtained his honours degree from Guelph in 2002 and began working full time with The Arboretum where he enjoys the cultivation of plants and gardens, which allows him to learn by getting his hands dirty.

Marion Jarvie, horticulturist, has spent more than 25 years teaching at the TBG and the University of Toronto and has lectured around the world. She owns a showpiece property of unusual trees, shrubs and perennials in Thornhill, Ontario, which is open to the public several days a year.

Frank Kershaw is the former Director of Policy and Development for Parks and Recreation at the City of Toronto. He has visited and photographed more than 2,000 gardens worldwide and lectures on related subjects. His interest in gardening is reflected in his many published articles.

Lynette Kirton was born and educated in England. In Canada she has worked for White Rose Nursery and Humber Nursery before joining Vandermeer Nursery 15 years ago. She is currently the Nursery Supervisor and offers her expertise at seminars, both at the nursery and to groups and horticultural shows in the GTA.

Margit Koritar has devoted herself to painting, teaching and promoting botanical art. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Her paintings are included in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University and in various private collections. Margit has taught at the Toronto Board of Education, Trent University and the Haliburton School of The Arts and gives private lessons and workshops at her studio near Millbrook, Ontario.

John Leonard is a graduate of OCAD and a member of the Royal Canadian Academy. He has taught at many of Ontario’s universities and art schools including OCAD, University of Toronto, York University and others. His work is held in over 40 public gallery and corporate collections including The National Gallery, The Ontario Arts Council, CBS Records - New York and the Canada Development Corp.

Jim Lounsbery has been involved in the horticultural profession for many years as supervisor of parklands at the Royal Botanical Gardens, manager of horticulture studies at Mohawk College, and owner of Vineland Nurseries, which specializes in dwarf and unusual plants.

Chris Magwood is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book Straw Bale Building and the editor of the international magazine, The Last Straw. Chris has built his own straw bale home and has been involved in the construction of numerous straw bale structures across southern Ontario. Recently, Chris has taken on the role of lead instructor of the Sustainable Building Design and Construction course at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Haliburton.

Jeff Mason of Mason Hogue Gardens, a specialty plant nursery, is a self-confessed plant nerd. With over 20 years in the horticultural field, Jeff has acquired extensive knowledge of plants and their growth habits, an essential element for successful garden design. His lectures are jam-packed with useful information and practical gardening tips.

Marjorie Mason of Mason Hogue Gardens, a specialty plant nursery, is an enthusiastic lecturer who delights in sharing the wonders of gardening with others. She has led garden tours since 1985 in Scotland, France and the UK. She can be heard every Saturday on her radio program, “Let’s Get Growing”, on CKDO.

Erin McLaughlin is the editor of Canadian Home & Country magazine. For more than six years, Erin and her team of editors have been defining Canadian country style for decor-loving readers. Erin enjoys mixing old treasures with new finds, bright colours with classic neutrals, and encourages making style simple and accessible in every area of the home. Erin has shared her design expertise on TV and radio programs including CityLine, Breakfast Television, Global TV, Rogers Cable and CFRB 1010.

Deborah Metsger is the Assistant Curator in the Botany section of the Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum.

Moira Mudie, after studying with a master in Hong Kong, has devoted the past 40 years to her beautiful and tranquil art. Her love of nature and the philosophy and symbolism involved in oriental art have been passed on to her students over the years at the Civic Garden Centre, in the University of Toronto Continuing Education courses, in her private studio classes and through workshops at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. Her book, The Chi of the Dragon, is sold in our gift shop.

Margaret Nevett is a horticulturist, Master Gardener, horticultural therapist and garden writer/producer. She is dedicated to helping gardeners of all abilities keep gardening for life. She recently collaborated with director Ron Meraska to create and produce a DVD, Horticulture as Therapy.

Luiza Ormonde is a practitioner and teacher of Ayurvedic Medicine and teaches Ayurvedic cuisine at the Royal Ontario Museum and LCBO culinary programs.

Linda Lee Purvis is a floral designer, teacher and artist. Her company, Magnolia’s, has provided flowers, herbs, supplies and instruction for more than 15 years.

Tamara Robbins, Associate Design Editor of Style at Home Magazine, has worked as a floral designer and wedding consultant before beginning her career in the magazine industry. Currently, she creates floral arrangements for many of the homes and stories featured in the magazine. She teaches Upstairs at Loblaws as well as in boutique JacKryn France.

Greg Sadowski is a Project Ecologist for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and he has a B.Sc (environment) from the University of Toronto. Greg has been birding for over 30 years and holds a CWS master birdbanding permit. He is a popular guide for walks and talks on birds, and has taught courses at George Brown and Georgian Colleges.

Aldona Satterthwaite is the editor of Canadian Gardening. She completed her journalism studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic Institute (now Westminster University) in London England, studied landscape architecture at Ryerson University and trained as a Master Gardener at the Civic Garden Centre (now Toronto Botanical Garden). She was the Director of Writing Services at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Leslie Staple is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art. She participates regularly in juried art shows including the American Society of Botanical Artists in New York City. Her work may be found in private collections across Canada. She has taught botanical watercolour courses at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies and the Toronto District School Board, along with giving private courses and community workshops.