BRAGS monthly meeting speakers & presenters

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Updated June 11, 2011

  

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Quick Reference Speakers by Topic	Speakers & Presenters Past & Present
Art Cliff Thorbes Bamboo Ray Mattei Bees Tony Loades Birds Randy Solomon Bulbs Wendy Leroux Anne Marrison Chrysanthemums Bud Black Clematis Fred Wein, Sr Cyclamen Wilhelm (Bill) Bischoff Dahlias Bud Black Daylilies Pam Erikson Eagles Estate Heritage Garden Laura Ralph Eco-Sculptures Heather Edwards Fall & Winter Garden Features Conway Lum Garden Design Ayuko Inoue Ruth Olde Grasses Randal Atkinson Barbra Fairclough Hanging Baskets Coni O'Neill Hellebores Ray Beckhurst Hydrangeas Elaine Cramer Lawns Stan Kazymerchyk Native Plants Dave Hutch Photography Adam Gibbs June Hunter Pest Management Conway Lum Ponds Roger Pinette Candyse Roberts Steve Kovacs Pruning Alan Reid Rhododendrons Les Clay Gerry Gibbens Charlie Sale Norbert Wuensche Roses Brad Jalbert Seeds Sharon Hanna Heather Havens Troughs, Hypertufa Gerry Gibbens Vegetables Bob Tuckey Xeriscaping Brenda Falk Miscellaneous Elke Knechtel Ken Knechtel David Forsyth Michael Lascelle Gary Lewis Judy Newton Gwen Odermatt Steve Whysall	Randal Atkinson of Meadowsweet Farms February 5, 2003 Presentation - "Ornamental Grasses"
	Ray Beckhurst, Hellebore grower of Jenray Gardens Nursery February 4, 2004 Presentation - "Hellebores" February 3, 2010 Presentation - "Hellebores" Biography Born and raised in a small Australian city one hour's drive from Melbourne, Gardening has always been a part of my life. Growing up on an exceptionally deep suburban lot, we grew all our own vegetables, picked fresh fruit from the trees and collected fresh eggs daily from the chickens in the hen house. My Dad had me growing veges at an early age while my Grandpa taught me how to prune fruit trees. As a teenager I lived with my Grandmother in Melbourne where growing flowers first became a part of my life. Moved into a new home with my wife and two children, where I spent 3 years completely landscaping the property. In 1973 we sold and came to Canada on a 2 year working holiday, which has turned onto 36 years. I fully landscaped the place where we live in Surrey. The weather here is similar to Geelong where I come from, except for the sprinkling of snow we get here. In Geelong I had a winter garden so I was looking for a plant that would survive our winter. I discovered Hellebores which quickly became my passion. I initially began my collection by buying from Herronswood nursery in Washington, which was expensive, So I started buying seed from England,Germany, and eventually Australia. I discovered that every seed would grow for me, I only needed one of each variety for my garden, the rest I offered for sale at Garden Clubs spring plant sales. I started my home based Jenray Garden Nursery business, learnt as much as I could about these wonderful plants, and have been discussing their virtues at Garden Clubs throughout the Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast and on the Islands for the past 15 years.
	Wilhelm (Bill) Bischoff, Cyclamen and Orchid expert. January 7, 2009 Presentation - "Cyclamen" November 3, 2010 Presentation - "Hardy Orchids" Cyclamen photos and speaker notes Available for lectures & tours of his garden featuring most cyclamen and hardy orchids that grow in the Vancouver area and also tropical orchids in greenhouses.  Phone 604-589-6134 or email wbischoff @ shaw.ca
	Bud Black, Dahlia & Chrysanthemum expert April 7, 2004 Presentation - "Dahlias & Chrysanthemums"
	Les Clay of Rhodohaven Gardens February 7, 2007 Presentation - "Species Rhododendrons" Les Clay has been in the nursery business for over 50 years and currently operates Rhodohaven Gardens in Langley.  He is a well- known expert in rhodo propagation and in 1975 was President of the International Plant Propagation Society.  Two years later he began Les Clay Nursery (now sold) using new tissue culture technology.  Les will talk to us about species rhodos with recommendations for suitable types to grow in containers and small gardens.  Go to Forms & Downloads for a copy of speaker notes.
	Elaine Cramer May 7, 2008 Presentation - "Hydrangeas"
	Heather Edwards of the City of Burnaby February 6, 2007 Presentation - "Eco-Sculptures & Burnaby Projects Further information to come. Read about Eco-Sculptures in Burnaby
	Pam Erikson of Erikson's Daylily Gardens April 7, 2010 Presentation - "Daylilies" Pam is recognized as one of the leading breeders and suppliers of daylilies in Canada.  As well as being President of Erikson's Daylily Gardens nursery, Pam is President of the Aldergrove Daylily Society, Vice-President of the Canadian Hemerocallis Society, Vice-President of the CanAm Daylily Meeting. She is also past RVP of the AHS Region 8 and former Chair of the VanDusen Flower & Garden Show.  Erikson's Daylily Gardens is located at 24642 - 51 Ave., Langley, B.C. Canada V2Z 1H9
	Barbra Fairclough October 3, 2007 Presentation - "Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape" Barbra is a sought after garden speaker, with an unending enthusiasm for influencing how we value our landscapes. Since graduating from Kwantlen School of Horticulture she has been an active participant in the horticulture industry. She sits on the Boards of both the BC Landscape and Nursery Association and BC Communities in Bloom. Her volunteer work includes overseeing the redevelopment of the GardenWise Directory and judging for both the Canadian Horticulture Technician Certification and BC Landscape Awards of Excellence. Barbra has consulted to Canada Wide Media Limited and has worked as Horticultural Editor, and contributing Writer and Photographer for GardenWise Magazine. Having worked in both the growing and retail sectors, she currently operates FarmHouse Gardens, a company specializing in high quality residential landscape management in the South Central Fraser Valley. She will show us a fresh approach on how to use grasses in our landscapes and containers. Speaker Notes
	Brenda Falk of Tanglebank Country Gardens nursery June 4, 2008 Presentation - "Drought Tolerant Plants-Xeriscaping" October 7, 2009 - "Grasses & their Companions - Great Fall Gardens"
	David Forsyth Digital Slide Show Presentations September 7, 2005 Burnaby Garden Tour September 6, 2006 Burnaby Garden Tour September 5, 2007 Burnaby Garden Tour September 3, 2008 Burnaby Garden Tour September 2, 2009 Burnaby Garden Tour September 1, 2010 East Side-West Side Garden Tours
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	Gerry Gibbens has been the Gardener of VanDusen Botanical Garden Sino-Himalayan Garden since 1980.  Gerry is a recognized rhododendron expert, speaker, & educator.  He is Past-president of the Vancouver Rhododendron Society & the Alpine Garden Club of BC as well as a Director of District 1 of the American Rhododendron Society.  Gerry received his garden training at Windsor Great Park in England. February 2, 2005 Presentation - "Hypertufa Troughs" March 5, 2008 Presentation- "Rhododendrons-Questions & Answers"
	Adam Gibbs, Photographer for Gardens West magazine March 3, 2004 Presentation - "Garden Photography" For Adam Gibb's biography and information about his photographic work go to his website www.adamgibbs.ca
	Spring Gillard of City Farmer and author of "Diary of a Compost Hotline Operator" November 2, 2005 Presentation Spring has been on the staff of the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden for over 10 years and operates the Compost Hotline.
	Sharon Hanna March 7, 2007 Presentation - "Starting Plants from Seeds" Sharon has been employed with various companies in the horticulture industry in the Vancouver area for more than 20 years.  She has expertise and interests in seed propagation, organic gardening, recipe development, attracting beneficial insects, food security and hunger issues.  Sharon is classified as a "seed specialist" with the Garden Writers of America and has written and/or edited for several publications, websites, and seed catalogues.  She has also designed school gardens at elementary schools in Vancouver and received the City of Vancouver Mayor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 2005. Article: Beneficial Insects-Think Before You Squish
	Heather Havens February 4, 2009 Presentation "Plants from Seed"
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	June Hunter of June Hunter Fine Art Botanical Images November 1, 2006 Presentation - "Garden Images on Tiles" June was born in the heart of industrial Newcastle-upon-Tyne in northern England.  In spite of the lack of natural flora, her mother soon introduced her to the intricate marvels of the botanical world.  At the age of nine she was given her first camera (a Kodak Instamatic) and has been an avid photographer since.  June has earned a Bachelor Degree in English Literature and a Diploma in Media Studies. The images she produces begin life as 35mm photographs taken in her own garden, hand held and using only available light.  These images are then digitally processed and applied to marble tiles, jewellery, and prints.
	Dave Hutch April 4, 2007 Presentation - "Native Plants for the Home Garden" Dave has worked for a variety of federal, provincial and municipal agencies responsible for land management, environmental conservation and enhancement, parks planning and design. He has spent the past thirteen years as a landscape architect in municipal parks and environment departments on Vancouver's North Shore. Dave's commitment to sustainable design practices has led him to employers who have a strong environmental ethic. Projects includes: resource efficient landscapes, development of green infrastructure, parks and greenway development, urban natural area rehabilitation and management.
	Ayuko Inoue  of Gardens by Design May 6, 2007 Presentation - "Small Space Gardening" Ayuko came to Vancouver in 1982 via London, England where she lived for 7 years.  After working as a Market Analyst in the shipping and commodity industries, she went back to London to study garden design. When she returned to Vancouver, she started her garden design company, Gardens by Design, offering both design and installation.  During the 15 years of operating her company, she designed gardens all over the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and Calgary.  Ayuko is also a Master Gardener at VanDusen Botanical Garden and teaches garden design courses at VanDusen and North Shore Continuing Education.
	Brad Jalbert of  Select Roses nursery in Langley March 5, 2003 Presentation - "Rambling & Climbing Roses" March 3, 2010 Presentation - "Rose Pruning Demo & AV Presentation" Visit the Select Roses website for lots of information about the nursery and about Brad Jalbert's passion for growing roses.
	Stan Kazymerchyk, Turfgrass Management Instructor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University. November 5, 2008 Presentation - "The Sustainable Lawn"
	Elke Knechtel of Perennial Gardens nursery October 1, 2003 Presentation - "The Perennial Border"
	Ken Knechtel of Perennial Gardens nursery June 2, 2004 Presentation - "Hostas" January 5, 2005 Presentation - The Eagles Estate Heritage Garden"
	Steve Kovacs of Waterscene Designs April 2, 2008 Presentation - "Small Water Features" Cancelled Steve Kovacs is a water-gardening specialist and the president of Waterscene Inc. of Delta, BC. Much of his background includes experience in the swimming pool and hot tub industry, having founded the building/retailing company Swim Blue Pools and Hot Tubs in 1972. Steve recognized gardeners’ growing interest in ponds and water features and, after 34 years in the swimming pool industry, he was inspired to help provide gardeners with the skills to create their own water elements. He started Waterscene, a company that specializes in teaching landscapers and homeowners in Western Canada how to build breathtaking water features that work in harmony with Mother Nature, not against her, in as little as eight hours. Steve has appeared on many national televisions shows, including The Canadian Gardener and Room to Grow, and he speaks at pool and spa trade shows, garden shows, home shows, garden clubs, and libraries country-wide.
	Michael Lascelle of Amsterdam Greenhouses & Garden Centre November 3, 2004 Presentation - "Wild & Wonderful Plants"
	Wendy Leroux of Botanus Along with Pam Dangelmaier & Elke Wehinger June 1, 2011 Presentation "Create a Summer Bulb Spectacular" For Bios of all 3 Botanus principals visit the Botanus website.
	Tony Loades May 6, 2009 Presentation "Bees" Tony is employed at the Honeybee Centre in Surrey
	Gary Lewis of Phoenix Perennials May 3, 2006 Presentation - "What's Hot This Year?"
	Conway Lum of  GardenWorks November 5, 2003 Presentation - "Integrated Pest Management" April 6, 2005 Presentation - "Integrated Pest Management II"
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	Anne Marrison, writer & broadcaster April 2, 2003 Presentation - "Primulas" October 5, 2005 Presentation - "Unusual bulbs"
	Ray Mattei of Tropic to Tropic Plants October 4, 2006 Presentation - "Bamboos" Ray has been growing and producing bamboo in his gardens for over 25 years.  He has over 50 varieties ranging in height from 2 to 45 feet in his nursery called "Tropic to Tropic Plants" in Delta.  He not only teaches people how to choose the proper bamboo for their particular gardens, but also teaches how to eradicate the varieties that are not good choices for the urban garden.
	Judy Newton, Special Education Assistant of UBC Botanical Garden March 2, 2005 Presentation - "The Scented Garden" June 2, 2010 Presentation - "The Summer Garden"
	Gwen Odermatt March 4, 2009 Presentation "Great Plant Picks Program"
	Ruth Olde of Blasig Landscape Design January 4, 2006 Presentation - "Landscape Design"
	Coni O'Neill, BRAGS President May 7, 2003 Presentation - "Creating a Spectacular Hanging Basket"
	Roger Pinette of Ponds Beautiful & contributor to Gardens West magazine May 4, 2005 Presentation - "Water Features for any Garden"
	Laura Ralph April 1, 2009 Presentation "Eagles Estate Heritage Garden - Update" Laura is Head Gardener  at the Eagles Estate (operated by The Land Conservancy of BC) and other TLC properties in the Greater Vancouver area.
	Alan Reid of GardenWorks March 1, 2006 Presentation - "Lawn Alternatives" January 2, 2008 Presentation "Pruning" Notes from Alan Reid Website treesaregood.com is a very useful website maintained by the International Society of Arboriculture.  Includes tips for selecting and maintaining trees and finding a professional  Arborist in your area. Books "Cass Turnbull's Guide to Pruning" by Cass Turnbull.  Cass is Seattle based and the book is organized around the most common types of plants found in Northwest (US) gardens and thus has special relevance to the Vancouver area as well.  Regular price is $26.95 but is available at Chapters online for $17.78 (Jan/08). "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman.  Not a tree book as such but an interesting read about what would happen to nature, etc. if people disappeared from planet Earth.  Regular price $31.00 but is available at Chapters online for $20.46 (Jan/08).  Soon available in paperback at a lower price. Dr. Reid is Horticulturist and Education Manager for Gardenworks; Assistant Professor, Dept of Biology and Horticulture UCFV; and a Board member of VanDusen Botanical Garden.  He has completed numerous speaking appearances including VanDusen Garden Show, CITY-TV, BC Landscape and Nursery Trades Association, and garden clubs. Academic achievements include a B.A from University of Wellington (NZ), Ph.D in Biosystematics from UBC, and a Post Doctoral Fellowship at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. Dr. Reid was a Provincial Pathologist for Alberta Agriculture 1995-1999.
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	Candyse Roberts of GardenWorks April 2, 2008 Presentation - "Small Water Features" Candyse has been with Garden Works for the last two years and heads up most of their Hands on Workshops for both kids and adults.  She will be showing us choices for small water feartures for the deck or balcony.
	Charlie Sale February 1, 2006 Presentation - "Bullet Proof Rhododendrons"
	Randy Solomon of the Backyard Bird Centre in Port Moody November 7, 2007 Presentation  - "Attracting Birds to the Garden" After having developed a life-long interest in nature, Randy was looking for a way to blend his interest in nature with a business concept. Tired of doing the books for other companies he opened his first store twelve years ago in Lougheed Mall. Five years later he moved it to North Road where he operated for 7 years. Finally, an opportunity came up to move the store to Newport Village, a popular and funky shopping area in Port Moody. Randy carries the largest selection of bird feeders in B.C. but also offers a wide selection of unique gift items such as garden decor, quality windchimes, and hand-painted art glass.
	Cliff Thorbes  of Piece by Piece Design June 6, 2007 Presentation - "Art in the Garden" Cliff is a certified Horticulturalist and experienced artist.  He has been creating art for over 20 years by working in stone, metal, glass, wood, and ceramics.  He has now turned his attention to creating mosaic masterpieces.  His art gives a lasting finishing touch in any garden.
	Bob Tuckey owner of The Natural Gardener Garden Store May 5, 2010 Presentation - "Growing Vegetables in the Ground and in Containers" Bob is a Master Gardener.  His Natural Gardener Garden Store offers interesting, rare, and unusual plants, native plants, organic fertilizers, garden tools.
	Fred Wein, Sr. of Home of Clematis  and Clearview Horticultural Products April 5, 2006 Presentation - "Growing Clematis" June 3, 2009 Presentation - "Clematis"
	Steve Whysall, Vancouver Sun Westcoast Home Editor October 6, 2004 Presentation - "The Reality of Gardening"
	Norbert Wuensche, Rhododendron Hybridizer & BRAGS member September 3, 2003 Presentation - "New Burnaby Rhododendrons"
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