Learn from the experts!

Canada Blooms' incredible line-up of speakers includes the industry's best-known horticultural specialists. Here are just some of the topics that you will enjoy

Time, Space & Mystery in the Garden - Tom Brown
Join Tom for garden glimpses illustrating the effect of time, the sequencing of space and the creation of mystery in the garden.

Peonies: Discover the Passion - Joe & Hazel Cook
Long-lived peonies have enchanted gardeners for generations. Renew this passion, from spring’s first shoots to autumn foliage, species to modern hybrids and intersectionals. Joe and Hazel will illustrate growing requirements, various flower forms and propagations.

Incredible Edibles For Small Spaces - Sonia Day
A quick look at which veggies, herbs and fruit do will in the city...and which won't.

Plants in Space: A Role for Canada in Space Exploration - Dr. Mike Dixon,
presented by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Controlled environments are a necessary technical requirement to facilitate human exploration initiatives in space. For long term exploration missions on the moon and Mars it is also clear that green plants as a source of food, oxygen, fresh water and carbon dioxide uptake are an equally necessary requirement. The technology requirements to reliably and indefinitely grow food crops on the Moon or Mars are virtually the same as those currently deployed in technologically sophisticated terrestrial greenhouses. Likewise, the advancements in these technologies required for the more demanding environments in space yield a wealth of technology transfer to the terrestrial applications.

Perennial Companions: Dazzling Plant Combinations for Every Season - Tom Fischer
Every gardener wants to create breathtaking designs with colour, form, and texture. But perennial combinations present challenges: how do I know all plants will bloom at the same time? How do I pick plants that have interest in each season? Tom Fischer takes away the guesswork by providing 100 proven picks. New gardeners will learn how to create simple pairings with two plants and gardeners with a bit more experience - or beginners looking for a challenge - will find complex arrangement with for or more plants.

How to Create a Woodland Wildflower Garden - Miriam Goldberger
Create and nurture a glorious 100% natural shade garden; a low-maintenance riot of continuous colour and a haven for local bio-diversity. Also Miriam will provide an introduction to the top 10 woodland wildflowers, practical tools and strategies to make it happen.

Growing Clematis in Ontario - Peter Keeping
Everything you need to know about planting, priming, fertilizing, propagating and the general care of growing clematis well.

My Tropical Paradise Makeover - Georgie Kennedy
Georgie and her husband recently completed a 3-year project, renovating their seaside villa on 1.4 acres in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. From dry and ordinary to lush and beautiful, Georgie will show how she did it.

Must Have's (Plants) for The Garden - Frank Kershaw
Frank will focus on those plants that are time tested, proven garden performers ranging from selected trees through perennials. They are plants that serve design and utilitarian functions, provide multi-season interest, are adaptable to varied habitats, and quick to establish themselves but not invasive and are easy to acquire.

The Importance of Bee-ing - Cathy Kozma
Learn why bees are important in the garden as Cathy will take you on a journey of her experiences of beekeeping in downtown Toronto. Let her show you how to design a garden that is "bee friendly" and discover plants that bees (and other pollinating insects) love.

Plant a Row for the Hungry - Jeff Lowenfels
We all grow too much. Hear the story of how it started from the program's founder and how all gardeners can help solve North America's hunger problem.

Celebrating Wildlife in the Family Garden - Lorraine Mennen
Lorraine will show you how to create an inspirational design to attract natural predators, furry visitors and entertaining songbirds.

Creating Aspen Grover - Robert Pavlis
Aspen Grove is a 5 acre garden that was started in 2005. The author will present design decisions for converting a property that had no gardens into one that has extensive gardens, including both a dry and a wet waterfall, pond, sunny perennial gardens, shade gardens, rock gardens and shrub gardens. Before and after pictures will be used to discuss the reasons behind the design decisions.

Hardy Tropicals - Tony Post
Hardy tropicals is a term that loosely identifies plants not commonly found in Southern Ontario gardens, but that will survive here with a little care in planting and for some plants a little winter protection.

Creating a Perennial Garden of Continuous Bloom - Lorraine Roberts
In this colourful presentation, Lorraine Roberts, from Plant Paradise Country Gardens, provides plant recommendations that will create the foundation for a spectacular perennial garden of continuous bloom.

Right Rose, Right Place: Finding the Perfect Rose to Go in that Hard to Cultivate Spot
Roses are the quintessential garden flower, but many people think they're difficult to grow. Right Rose, Right Place, by rose expert Peter Schneider puts that fear to rest by showing gardeners that when it comes to roses, it's all about location, location, location. The right rose will thrive when planted in the perfect spot. Weeks of bountiful blooms are the gardener's reward. Peter will help both new and experienced gardeners to make the most of these lovely, versatile plants in hedges and privacy screens, on trellises, integrated into flower beds, as container plants, and in many more ordinary yard settings.

Easy Flower Arranging - Kate Seaver
Learn how to condition flowers so they last, as well as quick and easy ways to arrange store-bought bouquets.

Project CHIRP: Gardening for Songbird Conservation - Christina Sharma
Please join Christina Sharma of the Canadian Wildlife Federation for an informative and inspirational talk on planting with native species to meet the survival needs of local and migratory songbirds. Discover what planting styles and water features appeal to songbirds and how to certify your songbird garden with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Small Spaces/Urban Gardening - Elizabeth Stewart
Elizabeth will describe how she built her urban potager, proved guidelines for how you can combine beauty and nutrition in your own garden, and explain why, as we cope with climate change, it's vitally important for more city-dwellers to 'return to the farm'.

Set It and Forget About It (Almost): Building a Self Watering Container - Gayla Trail
Gayla will show you how to build a self watering containter for finicky squashes, tomatoes and other water-loving edibles using recycled materials

Edibles in a City Garden - Paul Zammit
Join Paul Zammit, as he explores and demonstrates how even the smallest garden space can produce a plentiful and healthy, fresh and yummy harvest.

Choice Plants Not to be Without - Paul Zammit
Paul Zammit from the Toronto Botanical Garden shares his experience and passion as he highlights some of his must have plants not to be without in the garden.