February 17-21, 2027

Seattle Convention Center

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2027 Speaker Bios

Meet the horticulturists, botanists, garden designers, authors, and plant-world visionaries bringing their expertise, fresh perspectives, and passion for the extraordinary world of plants to the 2027 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival!

Explore the impressive lineup of speakers, hosts and workshop leaders listed alphabetically by last name. Click on any name to discover their backgrounds, expertise, and the fascinating work they do.

All seminars are FREE with your Festival ticket unless otherwise indicated!

Buy Tickets Early and Save!

Check back closer to your visit for the latest schedule updates and new additions. Speaker appearances and schedules are subject to change. Tickets are nonrefundable in the event of a speaker cancellation.

John Albers Author, Garden Designer, Founder Albers Vista Gardens

Session: The Resilient Pacific Northwest Garden | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 12:00pm

John Albers, Ph.D., is an author, climate-adapted garden designer, and horticultural educator based in the Pacific Northwest. He specializes in helping home gardeners in Zones 7–8 create resilient landscapes that combine ecological function with ornamental beauty.

His forthcoming book, The Resilient Northwest Garden: Creating Beauty, Biodiversity, and Climate-adapted Landscapes (Timber Press, 2027), builds on his commitment to sustainable gardening. His previous books include Gardening for Sustainability (2013), Northwest Garden Manifesto (2018), and Growing Conifers (2021).

An ecoPRO-certified sustainable landscape professional, John founded and curates Albers Vista Gardens, a four-acre botanical garden in Bremerton, Washington. The garden serves as a living classroom where he shares practical, science-based approaches to horticulture through tours, workshops, and lectures.

Through his writing and teaching, John encourages gardeners to cultivate biodiversity, resilience, and a deeper connection with the natural world.

John-J-Albers_The-Resilient-Northwest-Garden

Penny Barthel Author, Cannabis Educator

Session: Cannabis in the Garden: a New Story for an Ancient Herb | Adams Room | 2/21/2027, 3:00pm

Penny Barthel is a cannabis educator, author, and speaker captivated by the plant in all its stages, from seed to sparkly mature bud. She believes cannabis belongs in the garden, bringing health and joy to those who discover this remarkable plant.

She is the author of The Cannabis Gardener (2021) and has been featured in Sunset, the Los Angeles Times, Grow Magazine, Kitchen Toke, and MJ. Penny has also worked as a trial grower for Humboldt Seed Company, participated in the 2025 Great Grow Along, and appeared on numerous podcasts.

Penny serves on the board of the Berkeley Herbal Center and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and as many plants as she can fit into her small city garden.

Nick Bayard BirdNote Executive Director

Session 1: Birds: The Gateway Drug to Gardening | Adams Room | 2/19/2027, 10:30am

Session: Meet & Greet: BirdNote | 2/19/2027, 2:30pm

Nick Bayard is Executive Director of BirdNote, the public media organization behind the popular daily radio show and podcast about birds. He leads efforts to expand BirdNote's audience, grow its Spanish-language programming, and promote diversity and inclusion in environmental conservation and public media.

Before joining BirdNote, Nick served as an environmental education Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, a natural sciences instructor at Grand Teton National Park, director of a large social services organization, and Deputy Director of the City of Tacoma's Office of Equity and Human Rights.

He holds a master's degree in Public Administration in International Development from Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University.

Ross Bayton Author, Botanist, Heronswood Garden Director

Session: Heronswood at 40: 40 plants for 40 years | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 11:15am

Dr. Ross Bayton is a London-born botanist and gardener who earned his PhD at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, studying the classification of tropical palms.

He is the author of several horticultural books, most recently The Gardener's Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names (Princeton University Press, 2020), which was featured in The New York Times. His other books include New Trees: Introductions to Cultivation (with John Grimshaw) and Plant Families: A Guide for Gardeners and Botanists (with Simon Maugham).

Formerly the Gardening Editor of the UK's best-selling gardening magazine, BBC Gardeners' World, Ross is now Director of Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington.

When he isn't overseeing Heronswood, he's developing a five-acre garden at his home in nearby Bremerton.

Ross Bayton - The Gardener's Botanical

Kendall Becherer Content Creator, Educator, WSU Master Gardener

Session: Seed Snails: Sow, Roll & Grow | Creative Studio | 2/21/2027, 12:00pm

Dr. Kendall Becherer is a gardener, educator, and creator of the YouTube channel Kendall's Greenhouse, where she shares practical, research-based gardening advice with a growing community of home gardeners.

A WSU Master Gardener with a doctorate in Learning Sciences, Kendall combines her passion for gardening and teaching to make complex topics approachable for gardeners of all experience levels. Drawing on her background in education, she translates research into practical lessons covering everything from seed starting and propagation to ornamental and native plant gardening.

Whether creating educational videos or speaking at garden events, Kendall's goal is to help gardeners build confidence, grow successfully, and find more joy in the garden.

Kamili Bell Hill Author, Content Creator, Founder PlantBlerd

Session 1: Perfect Pairings: Houseplants That Thrive Together | DIY Stage | 2/18/2027, 11:45am

Session 2: Container Showdown | 2/19/2027, 11:00am

Session 3: Plant Bingo | HOP | 2/19/2027, 3:15pm

Kamili Bell Hill is the creative force behind PlantBlerd, a vibrant community where plants meet personality and design. With a background in law and a deep love for greenery, she shares clever styling tips, encouragement, and plenty of wit.

She is the author of the bestselling book Happy Plants, Happy You (Cool Springs Press, 2023). Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, HGTV Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times, and she has partnered with the New York Botanical Garden, Pinterest, Better Homes & Gardens, and Endless Summer Hydrangeas.

A seasoned speaker, Kamili brings humor, heart, and practical know-how to the stage. She has appeared at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Philadelphia Flower Show, Great Grow Along, and PlantCon.

Kamili holds degrees from Fairfield University and Quinnipiac University School of Law. She lives in New York with her family and a thriving collection of houseplants.

Daryl Beyers Author, Garden Designer, Horticulture Educator

Session: Designing a Habitat Hedgerow | Rainier Room | 2/19/2027, 3:00pm

Daryl Beyers is the author of two books from Timber Press, including his latest, The New Garden Designer's Handbook: How to Design Useful, Beautiful Gardens from Start to Finish (2026), and The New Gardener's Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Grow a Beautiful and Bountiful Garden.

As Gardening Certificate Program Coordinator at the New York Botanical Garden, Daryl regularly teaches gardening and design classes and workshops. With more than three decades of professional landscaping experience, he has created and cared for hundreds of gardens throughout the United States.

His articles on gardening and garden design have appeared in Horticulture, Fine Gardening, and Martha Stewart Living. Daryl continues to design gardens for clients, speak to audiences, and hone his own gardening and design skills at his home in Shasta County, California.

Birds Connect Conservation & Education Since 1916

Session: Ad Hoc Bird Talk | Meet & Greet Café | 2/19/2027, 10:00am-5:00pm

Founded in 1916 as the Seattle Audubon Society, Birds Connect Seattle is Washington State's first conservation organization. This independent nonprofit is dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats through conservation advocacy, education, and community engagement.

With more than 4,000 members and 500 volunteers, Birds Connect Seattle offers birding outings, educational programs, and community science projects that inspire people to discover and protect the birds that share our neighborhoods. Its urban conservation initiatives focus on creating healthier, bird-friendly communities where people and wildlife can thrive.

Stefani Bittner Author, Homestead Design Collective Owner, Landscape Designer

Session 1: Mediterranean Paradise: Gardens of Puglia | Traveler's Tea | 2/19/2027, 3:30pm

Session 2: Tea Garden: Design & Grow Your Perfect Cup | Rainier Room | 2/20/2027, 12:30pm

Stefani Bittner is the owner of Homestead Design Collective, a San Francisco Bay Area landscape design firm that combines organic farming and fine gardening techniques to create beautiful, productive landscapes.

Her team is behind the test gardens for Sunset magazine and the chef-focused culinary gardens for Robert Mondavi and Prisoner wineries. Their work brings together sophisticated garden design and the practical pleasures of growing food.

Stefani is the co-author of three books, most recently The Fragrant Flower Garden (Ten Speed Press, 2024). Her previous books include Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants (Ten Speed Press, 2017) and The Beautiful Edible Garden (Ten Speed Press, 2013).

Meg Blancato Author, Floral Designer, Co-Owner Native Poppy

Session: Gift Worthy florals | DIY Stage | 2/20/2027, 2:45pm

Meg Blancato is a floral designer, co-owner of Native Poppy, and co-author of the forthcoming Flower Moments (Timber Press, 2027).

Her floral journey began at age seven, when she started selling flower subscriptions in her dad's office for a thrifty $1 per week. Twenty years later, she found herself returning to flowers and has been hooked ever since. Learning the art of floral design was one of the greatest gifts she's ever received, sparking an endless passion for flowers and the power they hold.

Meg lives in San Diego with her husband, two incredible kids, and golden retriever. When she's not at Native Poppy, you can find her cooking with a glass of bubbles in hand, walking with her family, planning a celebration, or reading.

Her favorite flower is a peach ranunculus. Don't let her tell you differently.

Jessi Bloom Author, Certified Arborist, Ecological Landscape Designer

Session 1: Container Showdown: Celebrity Edition | 2/18/2027, 1:00pm

Session 2: Plant Guilds: Grow More in Layers | DIY Stage | 2/21/2027, 1:15pm

Jessi Bloom is a bestselling author, award-winning ecological landscape designer, certified arborist, and speaker. Her latest book, Everyday Sanctuary (Timber Press, 2019), explores the connection between gardens, nature, and personal well-being.

She owns N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Services near Seattle, a leader in permaculture, sustainable landscape design, construction, and land management for nearly 30 years.

A passionate advocate for ecological conservation, food sovereignty, water security, and land preservation, Jessi serves as a King County Agricultural Commissioner, a Board Supervisor for the King Conservation District, and a member of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Advisory Council.

Jessi lives in Woodinville with her family on their small permaculture farm, home to productive gardens and rescue animals.

Philip Bloomquist Bloedel Reserve Living Collections Curator

Briana Bosch Author, Owner of Blossom & Branch Farm

Session: Grow Your Soil, Heal Your Soul | Hood Room | 2/19/2027, 2:30pm

Briana Selstad Bosch is the author of The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook (Storey Publishing, 2026) and founder of Blossom & Branch Farm, a two-acre microfarm in Colorado that uses organic and regenerative practices to grow flowers and native plants that provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

She is also working to convert her family's 180-acre row crop farm in southern Minnesota to regenerative farming practices.

Briana teaches home gardeners and market farmers how to apply regenerative techniques to their own gardens and farms, improving soil health and growing healthier, more productive crops at a lower cost.

Briana Bosch - The Regenerative Gardener's Handbook

Natalie Bogwalker Author, Founder Wild Abundance

Session: Less Weeding, Fewer Pests, Healthier Plants | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 3:00pm

Natalie Bogwalker's gardening journey began near Vancouver, Washington, where she earned a nickel for every weed she pulled in her mother's garden. The experience sparked a lifelong interest in gardening and led to a degree in Ecological Agriculture from The Evergreen State College.

After traveling the world studying agriculture, Natalie settled near Asheville, North Carolina, where she lived as a self-described "woods hippie" in a bark hut she built, foraging and growing much of her food.

She founded the Firefly Gathering and Wild Abundance, a school that has taught thousands, especially women, gardening and building skills. During COVID, she and Chloe Lieberman created the Online Gardening School and later co-authored The New Natural Food Garden (Storey Publishing, 2026).

Today, Natalie teaches at Growing Wise Gardening School, advises purpose-driven entrepreneurs, parents her ten-year-old daughter, and explores cave dwellings around the world.

Marc W Boucher-Colbert Franciscan Montessori Garden Specialist, Urban AG Solutions Principal

Session: Fools for Our Tools | DIY Stage | 2/18/2027, 2:45pm

Marc Boucher-Colbert is the Garden Specialist at Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, Oregon, and principal of Urban AG Solutions, where he has managed the Noble Rot rooftop garden since its inception in 2006.

Marc holds a master's degree in education from Portland State University, with a focus on sustainability leadership and school gardens. Shortly after moving west in 1992, he founded Urban Bounty Farm, one of Portland's first urban community-supported farms. In 1999, he co-founded Zenger Farm, a still-thriving urban educational farm.

He offers an online gardening course, Things They Didn't Teach You in Garden School, on Udemy and co-hosts a monthly garden book group on the YouTube channel @theurbangardener1.

And, of course, he's a devoted home gardener.

Bess Bronstein ISA Certified Arborist, Horticultural Educator

Session: Dishing the Dirt LIVE! | Main Stage | 2/20/2027, 1:00pm

Bess Bronstein is a horticultural educator, consultant, and ISA Certified Arborist® based in Kingston, Washington. With more than 35 years of experience in arboriculture, landscape management, and garden design, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge to gardeners and horticultural professionals alike.

For 28 years, Bess taught horticulture at Edmonds College, specializing in pruning, tree care, plant identification, pest and disease diagnosis, and soils. She continues to teach throughout the Puget Sound region, provides training for WSU Extension Master Gardener programs, and speaks regularly to garden clubs and horticultural organizations.

A proud lifetime member of PlantAmnesty, Bess is dedicated to promoting sustainable landscape management, responsible tree care, and continuing horticultural education.

Graylen Brown Content Creator, Texas Master Gardener

Session 1: Container Showdown | 2/21/2027, 11:00am

Session 2: Big Harvests, Small Spaces | Adams Room | 2/21/2027, 12:00pm

Graylen Brown is a Texas Master Gardener, creator of Urban Gardening with Gray, and one of the most calming voices in gardening media.

His gardening journey began at age 11 in his grandmother's Louisiana garden, when one homegrown Roma tomato hooked him for life. After a career as a high school automotive instructor and a stint in the Army, he returned to gardening and discovered not just a passion, but a purpose.

Today, Graylen's warm, encouraging approach has drawn comparisons to Mr. Rogers and Bob Ross. Through his YouTube channel, collaborations with Epic Gardening and Home Depot, and his podcast, Q&A with Gray, he helps gardeners grow with patience, confidence, and joy.

He believes you don't have to be perfect to be beautiful, in the garden or in yourself.

Find him online at UrbanGardeningWithGray.com and Urban Gardening with Gray on social media.

Susan Browne Award-winning Landscape Designer, Educator

Session: Container Showdown | 2/18/2027, 11:00am

With more than 38 years in the horticulture industry, Susan Browne brings a lifetime of design expertise and creative vision to every project. As the owner of Susan Browne Landscape Design for the past 25 years, she specializes in residential master plans, commercial landscapes, container gardens, and seasonal décor.

A designer of 19 display gardens over the years for the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Susan’s work has earned multiple Gold Medals, the Fine Gardening Award, the Fred Palmer Award, and recognition for Best Use of Color.

Beyond her professional work, Susan volunteers with Snohomish County 4-H, leading youth gardening programs for nearly a decade. She is passionate about teaching the next generation the fundamentals of soil health, pollinator support, and plant identification.

Del Brummet Head Gardener, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden

Session: Low-Water Gardening in the Pacific Northwest | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 9:30am

Del Brummet is the Head Gardener at the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, where he has spent the past decade helping develop and care for a diverse collection of plants from the Pacific Northwest and regions with similar climates around the world.

While completing his B.S. in Biology at the University of Washington, Del worked in a lab studying Garry oak prairie ecosystems. His experience with seed propagation and plant care eventually led him into horticulture.

At the Miller Garden, Del leads tours, teaches classes, and works with dedicated volunteers and staff to care for the collection. He is passionate about climate-adapted, wildlife-friendly gardening and growing the right plant in the right place.

While the Miller Garden celebrates an eclectic mix of plants, including many that appreciate summer watering, his own home garden is low-water, proving that lush gardens don't have to be thirsty.

Lee Buttala Author, Emmy Award-Winning Producer, Seed Preservationist

Session: The Return of the Species: Growing for Diversity | Rainier Room | 2/19/2027, 10:00am

Lee Buttala is an Emmy Award-winning producer of Martha Stewart Living and former Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving heirloom plants and contributing to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

His book, The Seed Garden (Chelsea Green, 2015), received the American Horticultural Society's award for best reference book.

Lee has spoken on food security, garden design, and plant and landscape preservation at Monticello, Harvard's Arnold Arboretum, and the United Nations Food Matters Committee. He serves on the board of Hollister House Garden and writes regularly about landscapes for The Berkshire Edge and Edible Berkshires.

He studied landscape design and history at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, the New York Botanical Garden, and Kyoto University of Art and Design.

Susan Calhoun Fine Gardening Contributing Editor, Landscape Designer

Session: The Four-Season Grass Garden | Hood Room | 2/18/2027, 3:45pm

Susan Calhoun is a certified landscape designer with more than 25 years of experience designing private residential, commercial, and show gardens. Her work emphasizes sustainable practices, environmentally friendly materials, and recycled products.

Since 2020, Susan has contributed to Fine Gardening magazine, where several of her garden designs have been featured in print and online. She is also a contributing editor, producing regional reports, online seminars, and videos.

Whether designing gardens for clients or speaking to gardening groups, Susan enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening. Her presentations cover a wide range of topics, drawing on decades of hands-on design experience.

Amy Campion Author, Blogger, Horticulture Professional

Session: Meet the Bees in Your Garden | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 1:15pm

Originally from Minnesota, Amy Campion moved to the Cincinnati area in 1996, where she worked at a wholesale nursery for sixteen years.

In 2013, she and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon, where Amy learned the idiosyncrasies of gardening in the Pacific Northwest. She later co-authored Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide (Timber Press, 2017) with Paul Bonine.

Inspired by the work of entomologist Doug Tallamy, Amy began gardening for pollinators and other insects in 2021. She can currently be found at Garden Fever in Northeast Portland (where she encourages customers to plant more natives), in her home garden (with camera in tow), or speaking to garden clubs around the Northwest.

You can follow her on her blog (amycampion.com), on Instagram (@campionamy), and on iNaturalist (@amycampion).

Jenny Rose Carey Author, Horticulturist

Session 1: Container Showdown: Celebrity Edition | 2/19/2027, 1:00pm

Session 2: A Garden Full of Flowers |Rainier Room | 2/20/2027, 10:00am

Session 3: Gertrude Jekyll: Garden Ideas That Still Inspire Us | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 3:45pm

Jenny Rose Carey is an author, professional horticulturist, and avid hands-on gardener. Her latest book, The Essential Guide to Bulbs: Grow a Bounty of Beautiful Bulbs in Gardens and Containers (Timber Press, 2025), joins her two previous bestsellers, Glorious Shade and The Ultimate Flower Gardener's Guide.

Born in England to a family of botanists and gardeners, Jenny grew up in the countryside and designed her first herb garden at age sixteen.

After moving to the Philadelphia area with her American husband, she served as Director of two public gardens: Temple University's Ambler Arboretum and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Garden at Meadowbrook Farm.

Today, Jenny devotes her time to writing, speaking, and tending Northview, her four-and-a-half-acre garden, where she has lived for 30 years.

Linda Chalker-Scott Author, ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Horticulturist

Session: Mulch Matters: What Helps, What Hurts & Why | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027 , 4:15pm

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott is an urban horticulturist, Professor Emerita in Washington State University's Department of Horticulture, ISA Certified Arborist, and ASCA consulting arborist.

Her research focuses on plant and soil sciences, with findings published in scientific journals and university fact sheets. She is passionate about helping gardeners distinguish credible, science-based information from gardening myths and misinformation.

Linda is the award-winning author of five books, including Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest (University of Washington Press, 2019). She is also featured in The Science of Gardening, produced by The Great Courses.

She founded the Garden Professors, a group of academic colleagues who share research-based gardening information through their blog and social media. Garden Communicators International and the International Society of Arboriculture have recognized her contributions to horticultural education.

Karen Chapman Author, Founder Le jardinet, Garden Designer

Session 1: Container Showdown | 2/20/2027, 11:00am

Session 2: Budget Friendly Gardening | Rainier Room | 2/20/2027, 3:00pm

Born in England, Karen Chapman grew up with a trowel in her hand. She founded Le jardinet in 2006, specializing in functional and artistic landscape design. Her gardens have been featured in Fine Gardening, Sunset, and Better Homes & Gardens.

Karen is the author of Deer-Resistant Design (Timber Press, 2019) and co-author of two popular books on foliage-driven design, Gardening with Foliage First and Fine Foliage.

When she's not designing gardens or writing about them, Karen teaches workshops across the country and offers online courses. She also leads domestic and international garden tours, with a special focus on her native England.

Whether on the stage or the page, Karen's goal is to inspire, educate, and share the fun of gardening with her audience.

John Coghlan Founder of HomeGrown Organics, Landscape Designer

Session: Beyond the Weeping Willow | Hood Room | 2/18/2027, 5:00pm

John Coghlan is an award-winning landscape designer and gardener based on Vashon Island. His work centers on creating gardens that deepen our connection with nature, drawing inspiration from native creeks, meadows, and forests.

His 2023 gold medal-winning garden at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival recreated his family’s home garden on Vashon Island... a space shared with their dog and chickens and filled with edible plants, berries, and flowers that bloom year-round. A greenhouse brimming with hardy orchids and tropical fruits doubles as the family’s outdoor living room.

Through his business, HomeGrown Organics, John offers garden design and consulting services across the region, as well as fine garden maintenance and new garden installations on Vashon. His work combines beauty, productivity, and a strong sense of place rooted in the Pacific Northwest landscape.

Janice Cox Author, Natural Beauty Expert

Session 1: Crafting with Roses | DIY Stage | 2/17/2027, 10:15am

Session 2: Sunshine & Spice: Turmeric Sun Prints | Creative Studio | 2/17/2027, 2:00pm

Session 3: Sunshine & Spice: Turmeric Sun Prints | Creative Studio | 2/18/2027, 12:00pm

Janice Cox is a nationally recognized expert in natural beauty, DIY skincare, and gardening for health and wellness. She is the author of five books, most recently Beautiful Roses (Ogden Publications, 2025), and has created a hands-on workbook series focused on growing, using, and enjoying plants.

With more than 30 years of experience, Janice shares her expertise through writing, speaking, and live demonstrations at gardens and events nationwide.

She has served as Education Chair for The Herb Society of America and is a member of the Slow Flower Society. Janice lives in Southern Oregon, where she continues to grow, create, and inspire others.

Janice Cox - Beautiful Roses

Amanda de Beaufort Author, Artist, Botanical Dyer, Dye Kween Founder

Session: From Garden to Cloth: Botanical Printing | DIY Stage | 2/19/2027, 11:45am

Amanda de Beaufort is a botanical dyer, artist, educator, and founder of Dye Kween, a botanical dye studio creating naturally dyed textiles inspired by flowers and the changing seasons. She is the author of Flowerprint: The Wild, Wonderful World of Botanical Dyeing (Timber Press, 2026).

Founded in 2017, Dye Kween reflects Amanda’s belief that handcrafted objects carry meaning, memory, and story. Working with flowers, leaves, bark, and plant-based dyes, she creates one-of-a-kind textiles that celebrate the beauty and unpredictability of nature.

Her work has been featured in The New York Times, T Magazine, Domino, Gardenista, and Blumenhaus. She has collaborated with Rag & Bone, Anthropologie, Terrain, Free People, and Freeman’s Sporting Club. Amanda lives and works in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Brandon Dean Founder of Healthy Homestead Design, Permaculture Professional

Erin Dollar Author, Native Poppy Floral Creative

Christian Douglas Author, Award-Winning Landscape Designer

Session: Pure Imagination : The Artistry of Edible Landscapes | Rainier Room | 2/21/2027, 11:15am

Christian Douglas is a multi-award-winning landscape designer with more than 30 years of experience creating beautiful, productive outdoor spaces. Combining formal training in classical design with a passion for regenerative agriculture, he has designed innovative landscapes across his native England, the Middle East, and the United States, always with food at the heart of his work.

After running his own design studio in the UK for many years, Christian traveled extensively to study farming techniques and survival strategies in desert environments. Inspired by the deep connections traditional cultures maintain with their land and food systems, he believes landscape design has an important role to play in restoring our relationship with the natural world.

Christian is the author of The Food Forward Garden: A Complete Guide to Designing and Growing Edible Landscapes (Artisan, 2024), which explores how edible plants can be incorporated into beautiful, thoughtfully designed landscapes without sacrificing style.

Christian-Douglas_The-Food-Forward-Garden

Krystal Duran Author, Content Creator, Houseplant Educator

Session 1: Go Bog Wild: Build a Bog Bowl | Creative Studio | 2/19/2027, 12:00pm

Session 2: Go Bog Wild: Build a Bog Bowl | Creative Studio | 2/20/2027, 12:00pm

Session 3: Plant Bingo | HOP | 2/20/2027, 3:15pm

Krystal Duran is a houseplant educator, digital creator, and author of More Than Just a Plant (Cool Springs Press, 2026). She is known for making plant care approachable, inclusive, and fun.

Through her platform, PlantswithKrystal, she shares practical tips and gentle encouragement to help people gain confidence in their green spaces. She reminds her followers that no one is “bad” at plants; they just need a little practice and perspective.

Krystal's philosophy celebrates the growth of both people and plants. Her down-to-earth teaching style has built a loyal online community of new and seasoned plant lovers alike. She believes every space can thrive when we choose plants that fit our environments and our lives.

Felicia Feaster Author, Garden Writer, Lifestyle Journalist

Session 1: Killer Plants for Your Goth Garden| 2/20/2027, 12:00pm

Session 2: Meet & Greet: Color Me Melancholy - A Goth Garden Coloring Sesh| 2/20/2027, 3:30pm

Felicia Feaster is an Atlanta-based lifestyle journalist, content creator, and author of The Goth Garden: The Mystery, Beauty, and Lore of Dark Gardening (Simon & Schuster, 2025). She is also the author of The Goth Garden: Dark Blooms: 50 Postcards Featuring the Mystery and Beauty of the Goth Garden (Simon & Schuster, 2026) and The Goth Garden: Dark Blooms Coloring Book (Simon & Schuster, 2026).

An editor at HGTV for 11 years, she launched HGTVGardens, the network's first website dedicated to gardening. She has received numerous awards from the Garden Writers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Her expertise in garden and design trends has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Fox News, Sunset, and the Associated Press. She has also discussed the goth garden in film on Turner Classic Movies.

Felicia writes about design, art, and gardening for HGTV, USA Today, Martha Stewart, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Felicia Feaster - The Goth Garden

C.L. Fornari Author, Garden Communicator, Radio Host

Session 1: Horticultural Hooch | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027, 3:00pm

Session 2: Swipe Right for Hydrangea Happiness | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 1:30pm

C.L. Fornari is the author of nine books, including her latest, Hydrangea Happiness (Brandeis University Press, 2026). She hosts The Garden Lady on CAI and GBH 89.7, a weekly live radio program.

C.L. is a frequent speaker to groups nationwide, including green industry professionals, businesses, and audiences with green or black thumbs. Her favorite time of year is when she can go into the garden and ask, “What’s for dinner?”

At Poison Ivy Acres on Cape Cod, she grows hydrangeas, vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Connect with her at GardenLady, com.

Davida Freeman DIY Workshop Instructor, Houseplant Collector, Educator

Session 1: Moss, Mud & Magic: Make a Kokedama | Creative Studio | 2/18/2027, 2:00pm

Session 2: Moss, Mud & Magic: Make a Kokedama | Creative Studio | 2/19/2027, 2:00pm

Davida Freeman is a houseplant educator, DIY workshop instructor, and founder of CPMG Studio. Known as "Condo Plant Mama" to her online community, she's an avid houseplant collector with a special knack for growing and nurturing ferns indoors.

Through online content, botanical classes, and community workshops, Davida shares plant stories, practical tips, and creative solutions for houseplant enthusiasts. She's also a DIY project wizard who loves experimenting with unique, out-of-the-box houseplant hacks.

Davida is passionate about introducing young people to horticulture. Through local workshops and her volunteer work with Seed Your Future, she helps students explore the industry through video features, guided projects, and tours of botanical trade shows across the country.

Cynthia Funes Certified Professional Horticulturist, Container Garden Designer, Educator

Session: Contained Brilliance: Container Garden Like a Pro | Hood Room | 2/18/2027 , 1:15pm

Cindy Funes is the founder of Garden Revelry, an award-winning container garden designer, certified professional horticulturist, educator, and speaker. Since 2008, she has designed, installed, and maintained seasonal container gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest, helping homeowners transform outdoor living spaces with plantings that are beautiful, personal, and practical.

Through speaking, coaching, online courses, and garden writing, Cindy shares real-world lessons gathered from years of hands-on container gardening. Her work and expertise have been featured in MarthaStewart.com, Real Simple, Wirecutter, and The Seattle Times.

Known for her warm, down-to-earth, and encouraging teaching style, Cindy helps gardeners grow with more confidence, creativity, and joy. Her goal is always the same: to make container gardening feel approachable, rewarding, and just a little more fun.

Willi Galloway Author, Radio Commentator, Writer

Session: The Easiest Edibles | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 4:15pm

Willi Galloway is an award-winning radio commentator, writer, and author specializing in kitchen gardening and seasonal cooking. Her most recent book is Veggies for Breakfast: 100 Plant-Focused Recipes for Healthier Mornings (Sasquatch Books, 2025). She is also the author of Grow Cook Eat: A Food Lover's Guide to Vegetable Gardening.

A former editor at Organic Gardening magazine, Willi has taught gardening and cooking classes throughout the Pacific Northwest. She also hosted the online garden-to-table cooking show GROW. COOK. EAT. and served as a vegetable gardening expert for Seattle's NPR station, KUOW.

Her writing has appeared in Vegetarian Times and Apartment Therapy, and Sunset magazine has featured her garden. She currently lives and gardens in Portland, Oregon.

Christin Geall Author, Floral Designer, Writer

Natalie Gill Author, Floral Designer, Co-Owner Native Poppy

Sue Goetz Award-winning Garden Designer, Author, Speaker

Session 1: English Gardens Worth the Journey | Traveler's Tea | 2/18/2027, 3:30pm

Session 2: Scented Geraniums: A Collector’s Obsession| DIY Stage | 2/20/2027, 1:15pm

Sue Goetz is an award-winning garden designer, educator, and author based in the Pacific Northwest. Known for her thoughtful, plant-forward approach, she creates beautiful, resilient gardens that balance ecology, sustainability, and design.

A Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) and ecoPRO-certified professional, Sue is passionate about creative herb gardening. Her most recent book is Complete Container Herb Gardening (Cool Springs Press, 2020). She is also the author of A Taste for Herbs and The Herb-Lover's Spa Book.

A sought-after speaker, Sue draws on years of hands-on experience to share practical gardening ideas and inspire creativity. Her motto, “...inspiring gardeners to create,” reflects her approach to workshops and presentations that encourage creativity both in and out of the garden.

Rochelle Greayer Editor, Designer & Garden Culture Writer

Rochelle Greayer began her career in physics and aerospace, working on F-18 flight simulators and satellite operations before turning her analytical eye toward the garden. That unconventional path still shapes her work, blending systems thinking, design fluency, and a deep curiosity about how people shape landscapes.

She is the Editor of American Gardener and a longtime landscape designer, writer, and creative entrepreneur. Rochelle founded PITH + VIGOR, first as a print newspaper and now a digital platform exploring garden culture, design, and the role plants play in our lives. Her work has appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Garden Design, Martha Stewart, HGTV, New England Home, and other design and horticulture publications. She also spent five years as an on-air designer with the Home Shopping Network and teaches online garden design courses.

Rochelle is the author of Cultivating Garden Style (Timber Press, 2014). At the American Horticultural Society, she is leading a renewed editorial vision connecting science, design, ecology, and lived experience to help gardeners better understand plants and create healthier landscapes.

Joe Grienauer Founder of Emerald City Orchids

Session: Orchid Therapy | DIY Stage | 2/17/2027, 11:45am

Joe Grienauer began his professional career with orchids in 2004 at Baron's Orchids in Morro Bay, California. In 2008, he founded Emerald City Orchids in the garage of a rented house in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood.

Today, Emerald City Orchids operates in Tacoma, Washington, offering the Pacific Northwest's largest selection of orchids for purchase.

Joe has been recognized by the American Orchid Society and the Northwest Orchid Society for his contributions to orchid horticulture. He received an American Orchid Society Certificate of Appreciation in 2017 and the Northwest Orchid Society's Gary Baker Service Award in 2024. He also serves on the Northwest Orchid Society's board.

Orchids grown by Joe at Emerald City Orchids have won numerous awards, and he regularly shares his expertise with garden clubs and orchid societies across the country.

Erica Grivas Author, Garden Writer

Session: Go for the Bold: Tropical Drama for the NW Garden | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 2:30pm

Erica Browne Grivas is a garden writer, author, and speaker whose work explores the relationships between people and plants. Her forthcoming book, The Fortune-Telling Book of Flowers (Chronicle Books, 2027), offers a year of affirmations inspired by flower folklore and symbolism.

With nearly a decade of experience working in nurseries, she holds a landscape design certificate from The New York Botanical Garden. Her writing has appeared in The Seattle Times, Horticulture, American Gardener, and Better Homes & Gardens. She is a four-time Gold Medal recipient from Garden Communicators International.

Her Seattle driveway doubles as a living laboratory, where containers overflow with tomatoes, cut flowers, and native plants. She believes gardens connect us to seasonal rhythms, support biodiversity, and help people and the planet flourish.

Follow her on Substack at A Gardener's Path.

Janice Groves Sheet-Mulching Queen, Content Creator

Session: From Lawn to Cottage Garden with the Sheet-Mulching Queen | Adams Room | 2/20/2027, 3:00pm

Janice “Jay” Groves, creator of Jay's Garden Journal, is a self-taught gardener, visual storyteller, and self-proclaimed “Sheet-Mulching Queen” who transformed her cookie-cutter suburban lawn into a flourishing cottage garden using cardboard boxes, compost, and creativity.

Passionate about budget-friendly gardening and building healthy soil naturally, Jay inspires others to reimagine their landscapes through sheet-mulching and ecological gardening practices.

Through her visual garden journal, she shares lessons learned about creating beauty, embracing imperfection, and discovering the magic that happens when nature is allowed to take the lead.

Leslie Halleck Author, Certified Professional Horticulturist, Instructor

Session: Top Home Greenhouse Mistakes + The FIX! | Hood Room | 2/21/2027, 12:00pm

Leslie F. Halleck is a Certified Professional Horticulturist (ASHS), author, and educator who has built her career around connecting horticultural science with the needs of home gardeners.

She is the author of four gardening books, including her newest, Home Greenhouse Revival: Growing Year-Round Foliage, Flowers & Food (Cool Springs Press, 2026).

Leslie holds a B.S. in Biology/Botany from the University of North Texas and an M.S. in Horticulture from Michigan State University, specializing in floriculture and greenhouse production.

Through Halleck Horticultural LLC, she provides cultivation and commerce consulting for the green industry. She is also a seasoned speaker and instructor in horticulture and business at UCLA Extension.

Skye Hamilton Content Creator, Hydrangea Queen, Interior Designer

Justin Hancock Author, Costa Farms R&D Director, Horticulturist

Session: TITLE | Room | DATE, TIME

Justin Hancock is an author, consumer horticulturist, and Director of Research & Development at Costa Farms, the world's largest houseplant grower. With more than 25 years of experience, he's passionate about helping plant lovers of all skill levels grow happier, healthier plants.

His latest book, The New Complete Guide to Houseplants: Expert Houseplant Growing Advice for Everyone (Cool Springs Press, 2026), offers practical advice on houseplant selection, care, propagation, and the newest varieties.

Previously the senior garden editor and “Garden Doctor” for Better Homes & Gardens, Justin has shared his expertise through print, television, and speaking engagements. His appearances include The Today Show and Live with Kelly and Ryan, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal.

You can also catch Justin sharing his houseplant expertise in the Festival's House of Plants!

Sean Hogan Author, Cistus Design Nursery Co-Founder, Horticulturist

Session 1: It Takes All Sorts... | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 1:45pm

Session 2: Birth of a Botanic Garden | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 10:30am

Sean Hogan began his horticultural career at age three in Portland, Oregon, when he accidentally rooted an Opuntia in his sandbox.

After studying horticulture and botany, he mapped rare plants for the State of California and spent a decade as a curator at the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley.

In 1995, Sean and his partner, Parker Sanderson, returned to Portland to establish a design firm that eventually grew into Cistus Design Nursery on Sauvie Island in 2002. Now one of the West Coast's most respected nurseries, Cistus is known for rare plants and climate-adapted species suited to summer-dry regions.

His design work includes the Apple campus in Cupertino and Portland's Lan Su Chinese Garden. He is the author of Trees for All Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Temperate Climates (Timber Press, 2008) and served as chief consultant for Flora: A Gardener's Encyclopedia (Timber Press, 2003).

Sean has lectured widely and serves on the RHS Woody Plant Committee and the Portland Botanical Gardens board.

Robbie Honey Author, Botanical Photographer, Floral Designer

Session 1: Chasing Orchids: Stories Behind the World’s Most Extraordinary Flowers | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 12:00pm

Session 2: European Floral Design with Robbie Honey | Blooms & Bubbles | 2/20/2027, 2:30pm

Robbie Honey is a Zimbabwean botanical photographer, floral designer, and author of Orchids: Botanical Portraits: Beauty, Natural History, Botany (Rizzoli, 2026) and The Accidental Botanist: A Deconstructed Flower Book (Clearview Books, 2018).

Known for his floral work with clients such as Dior and Hermès, Robbie has taught floristry in New York and Beijing. His botanical photography highlights both the structure and narrative of plants.

His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, and he regularly speaks at events.

Robbie-Honey_Orchids-Botanical-Portraits

Alicia Houston Farmer-Florist, Founder Healer’s Harvest

Session: Spring Awakening: Floral Centerpieces | Blooms & Bubbles | 2/17/2027, 2:30pm

Alicia Houston is the heart and hands behind Healer’s Harvest, a flower farm and floral design studio in Poulsbo, Washington. What began as a curiosity about growing flowers in 2021 quickly blossomed into a passion for creating, connecting, and sharing the joy of flowers.

As a farmer-florist and floral artist, Alicia finds inspiration in nature’s wild, imperfect beauty. Her designs embrace movement, unexpected textures, and a little whimsy, allowing each flower’s personality to shine. From intimate weddings to large-scale installations, she sees floral design as a form of storytelling and creative expression.

Her work has been featured in Florists’ Review, Slow Flowers Journal, and Tideland. Above all, Alicia believes flowers are meant to be experienced, not just admired, and loves encouraging others to slow down, get creative, and find joy in the process.

Eric Hsu Chanticleer Horticulturist, Writer

Session 1: The Vanishing Garden | Hood Room | 2/18/2027, 9:30am

Session 2: Small Bulbs, Big Surprises | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 10:45am

Eric Hsu is a horticulturist and writer interested in the narratives of people and their plants. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Plant Review (formerly The Plantsman), and his blog, Plinth et al.

He is currently Chanticleer's plant information coordinator, overseeing plant records and teaching interns plant identification.

Eric has appeared on Margaret Roach's A Way to Garden and Jennifer Jewell's Cultivating Place. He has also lectured for horticultural organizations, including the California Garden and History Society and Wave Hill in New York.

At home, Eric maintains a growing collection of tropical orchids and begonias in pots. His modest urban garden features epimediums, hellebores, woodland peonies, and winter-flowering bulbs, all vying for attention.

Dave Hunter Author, Founder/Owner of Crown Bees

Session: Thinking Like a Bee: What Mason Bees Really Need from You | DIY Stage | 2/21/2027, 2:45pm

Dave Hunter is the founder and owner of Crown Bees, an innovative company specializing in solitary bees. With almost three decades of hands-on experience working with native bees, Dave has been instrumental in shaping the commercial mason bee industry.

His work includes spearheading initiatives to improve bee management practices and collaborating with researchers to advance sustainable methods. He serves on the board of Planet Bee and works with Monarch Joint Venture, Wild Ones, and other nonprofit organizations.

He is also the co-author of The Mason Bee Revolution, 2nd Edition (Skipstone, 2025). His expertise has earned him recognition in the agricultural community, including appearances on numerous farming and gardening podcasts.

Kristin Jackson Certified Professional Horticulturist, Garden Designer

Session: The Shearables & the Hackables: Prune with Confidence | DIY Stage | 2/18/2027 , 4:15pm

Robin Jennings discovered her passion for gardening after moving to Oregon's Willamette Valley, where she transformed her backyard into a licensed nursery to study and cultivate flowers.

As Director of Product and Strategic Partnerships at Heirloom Roses, she selects the company's roses, bulbs, and perennials, focusing on plants that combine beauty, resilience, and performance. She works closely with hybridizers and other experts to preserve rare and historic roses while introducing gardeners to exciting new varieties.

With a master's degree in education, Robin combines her plant expertise with a talent for teaching and inspiring gardeners of all levels. Her approach blends technical knowledge with practical advice to help gardeners select plants that flourish and bring lasting beauty to their gardens.

Robin Jennings Heirloom Roses Director of Product and Strategic Partnerships

Session: Roses Without Rules | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 2:30pm

Robin Jennings discovered her passion for gardening after moving to Oregon's Willamette Valley, where she transformed her backyard into a licensed nursery to study and cultivate flowers.

Jennifer Jewell NPR and Public Television Host

Session 1: Meet the Judges: What Makes a Winning Garden? | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 10:30am

Session 2: Birth of a Botanic Garden | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 10:30am

Session 3: Birds: The Gateway Drug to Gardening | Adams Room | 2/19/2027, 10:30am

Session 4: Cultivating Place: The Power of Gardeners | Adams Room | 2/20/2027, 10:30am

Jennifer Jewell is the host of the national award-winning public radio program and podcast Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden and the Executive Director of the Cultivating Place Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding and elevating how we think and talk about gardening.

She is the author of three books, most recently What We Sow: On the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds (Timber Press, 2023). Her work centers on the empowerment of gardeners and the beauty and possibility found where people, place, and plants meet.

Jennifer and Cultivating Place have received multiple honors from Garden Communicators International and the American Horticultural Society. She lives and gardens in interior Northern California with her partner, plantsman John Whittlesey, and is currently producing a feature-length documentary inspired by Cultivating Place, set for release in 2027.

Dagny Kream Accessible Gardening Advocate, Garden Girls Podcast Co-Host, Content Creator

Session 1: Plan, Plant & Partake: Grow a Tea Garden | Creative Studio | 2/21/2027, 2:00pm

Session 2: Companion Planting: Fact, Folklore or Does It Matter? | Adams Room | 2/21/2027 , 10:30am

Dagny Kream built The Cottage Peach around what she learned after being diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses: gardening as a way to pace herself, understand what her body can manage on any given day, and treat limitations as information rather than failure.

Based in Zone 6b in Massachusetts, Dagny grows an extensive vegetable and medicinal tea herb garden. She shares accessible growing methods with an audience of more than 500,000 across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Good Housekeeping, CBS, Herbal Academy, Yahoo, Redfin, and The Spruce have featured her work advocating for accessible gardening.

Linda Larson Writer, Photographer, World Garden Traveler

Session: Potting Up Plants: The Surprising Story of the Flowerpot | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 5:00pm

Linda Larson is a gardener, writer, photographer, and world traveler whose love of plants has taken her across six continents. Known as A Traveling Gardener, she has visited more than 1,000 gardens in 60 countries, exploring celebrated landscapes and hidden horticultural treasures rarely seen by the public.

Driven by equal measures of curiosity and wanderlust, Linda travels not only to admire beautiful gardens but also to discover the stories behind them. She believes gardens are more than collections of plants. They reflect the culture, history, architecture, geography, and people of the places where they grow.

Through her travels, Linda has developed a unique perspective on how gardens reveal the character of the places and people who create them.

Claire Lidell Hanna Podcast Host, Owner of Relish Garden Design

Session 1: The Garden You Planned, The Garden You Have | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 9:30am

Session: Container Showdown | 2/17/2027, 11:00am

Claire Lidell Hanna is the host of the Relished Garden Podcast and founder of Relish Gardens, a Seattle-based garden design and maintenance business that creates and cares for gardens reflecting each client's unique style and needs.

With multiple gold medal-winning garden designs and back-to-back People's Choice awards at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Claire has earned recognition for her creative approach to garden design.

Her work is rooted in horticultural best practices and the imaginative use of materials to create gardens that are both beautiful and deeply personal.

Chloe Lieberman Author, Educator

Session: Less Weeding, Fewer Pests, Healthier Plants | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 3:00pm

Chloe Lieberman and Natalie Bogwalker are co-authors of The New Natural Food Garden (Storey Publishing, 2026) and co-directors of Growing Wise, a gardening school. Natalie is also the founder of Wild Abundance, a school for permaculture, carpentry, and rewilding.

Together, they have taught thousands of gardeners how to grow more food with less work and more joy, using permaculture-inspired principles and techniques. Both women have degrees in agroecology and more than twenty years of experience gardening in a wide range of climates and regions.

Natalie and Chloe walk the line between hobby gardeners and production growers. They approach vegetable gardening as a joyful endeavor, a path toward self-sufficiency and community resilience, and a way to connect with the living world and cultivate wonder and belonging.

Chloe-Lieberman_The-New-Natural-Food-Garden

Meagan Lloyd Content Creator, Garden Girls Podcast Co-Host

Session 1: Plan, Plant & Partake: Grow Your Own Tea Garden | Creative Studio | 2/21/2027 , 2:00pm

Session 2: Companion Planting: Fact, Folklore or Does It Matter? | Adams Room | 2/21/2027, 10:30am

Meagan Lloyd is a gardener, home cook, and content creator passionate about helping people live more sustainably by growing and cooking their own food.

She shares practical, science-backed gardening advice, seasonal growing guides, and recipes that showcase the harvest, from fresh garden meals to preserving techniques that reduce food waste.

Through her educational and entertaining content, Meagan has built a community of over a million followers who turn to her for inspiration, trusted gardening knowledge, and creative ways to bring the garden to the table.

Her mission is to help others experience the satisfaction of growing, cooking, and sharing food from their own backyard.

Jacques Lyakov Garden Hermit, Epic Gardening Creator

Session: Epic Gardening & Friends | Main Stage | 2/21/2027, 1:00pm

Jacques Lyakov discovered his passion for gardening while looking for a way to relax and find purpose outside his PhD studies. What began as a simple backyard project quickly became a thriving ecosystem filled with life, fresh produce, and an unexpected revelation: nothing tastes quite like food you've grown yourself.

Inspired by the incredible flavors of homegrown vegetables, Jacques set out to share his discoveries with others. Through videos, hands-on experimentation, and practical gardening advice, he has built an enthusiastic following by helping gardeners understand not just how to grow, but why certain techniques work.

Today, Jacques continues to inspire gardeners of all experience levels to get their hands dirty, experiment, and discover the extraordinary flavors waiting in their own backyards.

Anne Long Educator, Flower Farmer, Dahlia House Owner

Session 1: Container Showdown | 2/18/2027, 11:00am

Session 2: Grow an Abundant Spring Cutting Garden | DIY Stage | 2/20/2027, 10:15am

Anne Long is the founder of The Dahlia House, where she combines her passion for growing exceptional flowers with her love of teaching others. A recognized dahlia grower and educator, Anne helps gardeners of all experience levels grow with confidence through practical, easy-to-follow instruction.

Known for her warm, approachable teaching style, she makes even complex topics accessible and enjoyable. Drawing on years of hands-on flower farming experience, Anne shares proven techniques for growing healthy dahlias, harvesting beautiful blooms, and storing tubers.

Through The Dahlia House, she inspires a growing community of flower lovers to cultivate not only stunning flowers but also a lifelong love of gardening.

Rosemary Loveall-Sale Morningsun Herb Farm Owner

Session 1: Mediterranean Paradise: Gardens of Puglia | Traveler's Tea | 2/19/2027, 3:30pm

Session: Tea Garden: Design & Grow Your Perfect Cup | Rainier Room | 2/20/2027, 12:30pm

Rose Loveall-Sale is the owner of Morningsun Herb Farm, a family-owned nursery in Northern California specializing in culinary, medicinal, and specialty herbs. Over the past 30 years, she has grown more than 700 varieties of herbs and perennials, transforming a weekend venture into a destination for plant lovers and a thriving mail-order nursery.

When she isn't working in the greenhouses or demonstration gardens, Rose teaches classes and gives talks on gardening with herbs throughout Northern California. She is a sought-after speaker for gardening groups, schools, and colleges.

One of her favorite activities is teaching hands-on classes in the gardens and cut flower fields at Morningsun Herb Farm.

Hillarie Maddox Community Educator, Farming Advocate, Somatic Practitioner

Session: Gardens as Gateways to Community | Hood Room | 2/21/2027, 2:30pm

Hillarie Maddox believes nature is a pathway for learning, healing, and connection, and that access to nature is a human right. She is a community educator, gardener, farming advocate, mother of two, and somatic practitioner.

Through her work with Rewild Learning, Hillarie emphasizes peer learning, access to nature, and multigenerational connection. She helped launch the Great Whidbey Seed Swap, hosts workshops on growing food and environmental stewardship, and facilitates nature-based breathwork events for executive teams and community groups.

After moving from Seattle to Whidbey Island with her family to pursue a slower life connected to nature and community, Hillarie began weaving together her background in corporate executive education, social work, and breathwork. Her work creates opportunities for people to reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the natural world.

Mary Marshall & Andrew Tuttle Co-founders of Edge Perma, Edmonds College Instructors, Pragtree Farm Stewards

Becca Mathews Environmental Educator, Flower Farmer, Nature Photographer

Session 1: From Garden to Keepsake... Dry, Press & Preserve | Creative Studio | 2/19/2027, 10:00am

Session 2: From Garden to Keepsake... Dry, Press & Preserve | Creative Studio | 2/20/2027, 2:00pm

Becca Mathews has a degree in environmental biology, but discovering how inspiring it can be to teach what you're passionate about hooked her on environmental education. After years of teaching people of all ages in various roles, she drew on her conservation and education background to establish her own cut flower farm, River Bend Homestead, Ohio Grown Flowers, in 2023.

With education at the heart of her work, Becca focuses on workshops and hands-on learning. She's also a nature photographer who loves the endless subject matter her farm provides.

Becca serves on the boards of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) and Columbus Audubon. She also enjoys volunteering with other local organizations, connecting with people throughout her community beyond her business.

Matt Mattus Author, AHS Horticulture Director

Session 1: Meet the Judges: What Makes a Winning Garden? | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 10:30am

Session 2: Greenhouse Dreamhouse: A Year of Extraordinary Plants | Hood Room | 2/19/2027, 1:15pm

Session 3: My Curious Life as a Plantsman | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027, 11:15am

Matt Mattus is an author, horticulturist, and influential voice in contemporary horticulture. A lifelong plantsman with a passion for botanical tradition and innovation, he serves as Senior Director of Horticulture at the American Horticultural Society in Washington, DC.

His latest book, Greenhouse Dreamhouse: Inspiration, Curation, Collection (Timber Press, 2027), explores the extraordinary possibilities of greenhouse gardening. He is also the author of two award-winning books, Mastering the Art of Flower Gardening (2020) and Mastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening (2018).

Matt's gardens and greenhouse have been featured in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Gardens, House & Garden, and on HGTV.

Kryssie Maybay Author, Founder Kismet Design, Landscape Architect, Podcast Host

Session 1: Think Like a Garden Designer |Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 1:30pm

Kryssie Maybay is a licensed landscape architect based in Washington and founder of Kismet Design LLC, a firm specializing in residential gathering gardens throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her work focuses on creating joyful, functional spaces where clients can connect with friends and family.

She is the author of The Landscape Designer's Guide to Entrepreneurship (2023) and creator and host of The Process Driven Designer podcast, where she shares honest insights into the world of landscape design, from plant nerding to business strategy.

Through her courses and speaking engagements, Kryssie mentors fellow designers and entrepreneurs, helping them build thriving, creative businesses rooted in clarity and intention. She brings that same energy to the stage, offering practical takeaways and fresh perspectives for creative professionals, design business owners, and garden enthusiasts.

John McCallen Ecologist, Garden Designer, Habitat Restoration Specialist

Session: Bring your Garden to Life with Water | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 12:00pm

John is a lifelong gardener with a deep passion for biodiversity and the intricate relationships between plants, animals, and people. He holds a degree in biology from Stanford University, where he focused on ecology and evolution, and brings that scientific understanding to every garden he creates.

Designing species-rich West Coast gardens in zones eight through ten, John emphasizes living landscapes that nurture wildlife while offering beauty and connection for those who inhabit them. His work blends ecological insight with artistry, creating outdoor spaces that thrive as dynamic, interdependent ecosystems.

Colin McCrate Author, Founder of Seattle Urban Farm Company

Session: Pure Imagination : The Artistry of Edible Landscapes | Rainier Room | 2/21/2027, 11:15am

Colin McCrate is the founder of Seattle Urban Farm Company and the author of two books, Food Grown Right, in Your Backyard (Mountaineers Books, 2012) and his latest, Grow More Food (Storey Publishing, 2022).

Colin has been growing food organically for more than twenty years and has helped hundreds of urban farmers design, build, and manage their own edible landscapes.

He believes sustainable urban agriculture can promote healthy diets, environmental stewardship, stronger communities, and an improved quality of life.

Colin McCrate - Grow More Food

Ryan McEnaney Author, Fifth Generation Plantsman Bailey Nurseries

Session 1: Hydrangea Fan Club™ Happy Hour | Main Stage | 2/18/2027, 4:00pm

Session 2: Hydrangea Fan Club™ Happy Hour | Main Stage | 2/19/2027, 4:00pm

Session 3: Hydrangea Fan Club™ Happy Hour | Main Stage | 2/20/2027, 4:00pm

Ryan McEnaney is a fifth-generation family owner at Bailey Nurseries, one of the country's largest producers of shrubs and trees. He is also a garden designer, author, and spokesperson for Bailey's consumer brands: Endless Summer® Hydrangeas, First Editions® Shrubs & Trees, and Easy Elegance® Roses.

Passionate about connecting people with nature, Ryan travels the country helping home gardeners build confidence and discover the joy of gardening. His approach focuses on making gardening fun, breaking down barriers, and creating a welcoming environment for gardeners of all experience levels.

His expertise has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and Real Simple. He is also the author of Field Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space (Cool Springs Press, 2022), which helps home gardeners discover their personal style when designing outdoor spaces.

Jana Milbocker Author, Garden Tour Host, Landscape Designer

Session: Gardens of the Gilded Age | Hood Room | 2/20/2027, 1:15pm

Jana Milbocker is an author, speaker, garden tour host, and landscape designer whose latest book, Gardens of the Gilded Age: Lavish Landscapes from America's Golden Era (Globe Pequot, 2026), explores the magnificent gardens and estates created during America's Gilded Age.

An enthusiastic garden traveler, Jana loves exploring gardens and historic sites in the United States and abroad, sharing her discoveries through guided tours, photography, and books. She is also the author of four garden travel guides profiling 310 gardens along the East Coast.

Based in the Boston area, Jana worked as an art director and marketing specialist for 30 years before launching her garden design business in 2010.

Jana-Milbocker_Gardens-of-the-Gilded-Age

Brian Minter C.M., Horticulturist, O.B.C., Syndicated Columnist

Session: Exciting New Plants from Around the World | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027, 10:00am

Brian Minter, B.A., is a horticulturist, entrepreneur, and recipient of the Order of Canada, the Order of British Columbia, and an honorary doctorate in technology. He and his wife, Faye, co-founded Minter Country Garden, a destination garden center and greenhouse growing operation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

Brian has served on the boards of numerous community organizations and completed two terms as the University of the Fraser Valley's first Chancellor.

Well known for his magazine articles, syndicated newspaper columns, and television and radio programs, Brian is an enthusiastic speaker welcomed by horticultural industry professionals and gardening groups alike.

David Mizejewsi Author, Naturalist, TV Host, Urban Ecologist

Session1 : Birds: The Gateway Drug to Gardening | Adams Room | 2/19/2027, 10:30am

Session 2: Helping Birds One Garden at a Time | Rainier Room | 2/19/2027, 1:45pm

David Mizejewski has been fascinated by the natural world for as long as he can remember. A lifelong naturalist, he spent his youth exploring suburban woods, fields, and wetlands, observing and learning about the surprising diversity of wildlife that inhabits them. He holds a degree in Human and Natural Ecology from Emory University.

A television host, author, and naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation, David has hosted series on Animal Planet and Nat Geo WILD and appeared regularly on Conan, The Martha Stewart Show, NBC's Today, and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

His work focuses on urban ecology, the importance of native plants to wildlife, and helping people restore habitat in their cities, towns, and neighborhoods through gardening. These topics are also at the heart of his bestselling how-to book, Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife: Expanded Second Edition (Fox Chapel Publishing, 2019).

David Montgomery Author, MacArthur Fellow, Professor of Geomorphology

Session: REGEN: A New Future For Farming, Food, and Health | Rainier Room | 2/21/2027, 1:45pm

David R. Montgomery is a MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington, where he studies landscape evolution and the effects of geological processes on ecological systems and human societies.

His latest book, REGEN: A New Future For Farming, Food, and Health (W. W. Norton, 2026), explores how regenerative practices benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment. His previous award-winning popular science books include Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, The Hidden Half of Nature, Growing a Revolution, and What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health.

His research has investigated the geological forces that shape mountain ranges, how forestry practices affect landslides, and how soil degradation from farming can limit the longevity of human civilizations.

Dee Montpetit Garden Designer, Founder of Ma Petite Gardens

Session: Container Showdown | 2/17/2027 , 11:00am

Dee Montpetit began her career in the garden industry in 2006 and spent many years as a sales representative for Aw Pottery before launching her own design business, Ma Petite Gardens, in 2015. She specializes in maximizing each garden’s potential and creating beautiful outdoor spaces that are low-maintenance and reflect the owner’s personal style.

In addition to her design work, Dee draws on her first career as a travel agent to combine her love of gardening with her passion for exploration. Through Ma Petite Garden Tours, she creates and leads small-group garden adventures around the world, offering travelers an opportunity to experience diverse landscapes, plants, and garden traditions firsthand.

Whether she’s designing a tranquil backyard retreat or curating a global garden journey, Dee’s work reflects her belief that gardens—like travel—are about discovery, connection, and beauty.

Ciscoe Morris Author, Radio & Television Personality

Session 1: Stunning Drought-Tolerant Perennials | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027, 1:45pm

Session 2: Oh La La! Gardens of France | Traveler's Tea | 2/19/2027, 3:30pm

Ciscoe Morris is a beloved gardening personality in the Pacific Northwest, regularly appearing on KING 5's New Day Northwest, KING 5 News, and Evening. His radio show, Gardening with Ciscoe, airs every Saturday at 9 a.m. on KSQM.

After writing a gardening column for many years, first for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and later for The Seattle Times, Ciscoe turned his attention to writing his latest book, Oh, La La! (Sasquatch Books, 2020).

A longtime favorite at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Ciscoe is one of only two people who have presented at the Festival every year since its inception. He has received numerous environmental awards, as well as recognition from the American Horticultural Society.

When he's not sharing his gardening expertise with audiences, Ciscoe can often be found working in his Northeast Seattle garden. He's also passionate about travel and leads garden tours to destinations around the world.

Charlie Nardozzi Author, Garden Writer, Radio & TV Personality

Session 1: Foodscaping: Grow a Beautiful, Edible Landscape | Rainier Room | 2/20/2027, 11:15am

Session 2: Make New Plants for Free | DIY Stage | 2/19/2027, 1:15pm

Session 3: Container Showdown: Celebrity Edition | 2/19/2027, 1:00pm

Sarah Nayani is the founder of Grow Girl Seattle, where she grows cut flowers in a small urban space and teaches workshops on gardening and floral design.

Her lush, romantic floral style celebrates the natural beauty of every stem. Using locally grown and domestic flowers and foliage, Sarah creates garden-inspired arrangements with eco-friendly design methods.

Sarah Nayani Flower Grower, Floral Designer, Founder Grow Girl Seattle

Quynh Nguyen Author, Paper Flower Artist, Founder Pink & Posey

Session 1: Paper to Petals: Camellias | Creative Studio | 2/18/2027, 10:00am

Session 2: Paper to Petals: Cherry Blossom Branches | Creative Studio | 2/17/2027, 12:00pm

Quynh Nguyen is a Seattle-based paper flower artist, author, and founder of Pink & Posey. Her botanically inspired paper flowers capture the delicate beauty of real blooms, from the soft ruffle of a petal to the subtle shift of color at its heart.

She is the author of The New Art of Paper Flowers (Blue Star Press, 2024). Through tutorials, kits, and hands-on workshops in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, Quynh encourages students to slow down, observe nature, and create with confidence.

She also hosts the Paper Talk Podcast and co-founded the Paper Talk Community, connecting more than 5,000 paper artists.

Her work has been featured in What Women Create and Forbes, and acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. She has also created work for Nordstrom, Jo Malone, and Fran's Chocolates.

Find her at PinkAndPosey.com and on Instagram @pinkandposey.

Donald Norman Ornithologist, Native Plant Nurseryman, Puget Sound Bird Observatory Founder

Johannes Paul Co-founder of Omlet, Chicken Expert

Session 1: The Future of Chicken Keeping | Adams Room | 2/21/2027, 1:30pm

Johannes Paul is one of the four founders of Omlet, where for more than 20 years he has helped shape a curious, design-led approach to bringing people and pets closer together. Guided by the belief that great products begin with great questions, he has helped create thoughtful solutions inspired by observing animal behavior and challenging convention.

At the heart of Johannes's work is a fascination with how animals, especially chickens, can enrich our lives. From their calming sounds and quirky personalities to their affection and social nature, chickens have a surprising ability to change us for the better.

Through design, Johannes has helped more people discover that experience, proving that while chickens may not fix the world, they might just fix you.

Tamara Paulat Garden Coach, Writer, Photographer, Propagator

Session: Three Weeks Inside Sissinghurst | Hood Room | 2/18/2027, 12:00pm

Tamara Paulat created Chickadee Gardens, where she chronicles her and her husband David's adventures transforming a two-acre property from a field of grass and blackberries into a thriving garden ecosystem.

A self-taught and self-described obsessed gardener, Tamara has a particular love for drought-adapted and native plants. Add chickens, a half-acre vegetable garden and orchard, and plenty of experimentation, and you have the makings of Chickadee Gardens.

Her experience at Joy Creek Nursery and Cistus Nursery introduced her to a wide range of unusual plants and inspired her work as a garden coach, helping clients realize their gardens' potential with minimal input.

Tamara is a member of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and serves on the Great Plant Picks selection committee. She is also a garden writer, presenter, propagator, and photographer.

Find her gardening adventures at ChickadeeGardens.com.

Sean Pessarra Founder of Mindful Farmer

Session: Never Hand-Pull Weeds Again | Hood Room | 2/21/2027, 10:45am

Sean Pessarra is the founder of Mindful Farmer, an Arkansas-based company that designs and manufactures high tunnels, ergonomic tools, and organic farm products for small-scale growers.

With a background in ecology and farm consulting, Sean started Mindful Farmer to equip growers with practical tools and resources. The company offers regionally sourced solutions, including organic fertilizers, potting soil, American-made multifunctional tools, and durable growing infrastructure.

By combining product innovation with hands-on education, Sean helps farmers and gardeners grow smarter, not harder, while building more resilient, efficient, and sustainable growing systems.

Christina Pfeiffer Author, Educator, ISA Certified Arborist

Session: Prune Smarter, Prune Less | DIY Stage | 2/17/2027, 2:45pm

Christina Pfeiffer is a Seattle-based horticulture educator with a long career in landscape horticulture. Tuned to both the art and science of the field, her work centers on sustainable techniques and practices that align with the natural cycle of the seasons.

She is the co-author, with Mary Robson, of Pacific Northwest Month-by-Month Gardening (Cool Springs Press, 2017) and a regular speaker at public programs throughout the Puget Sound region. Christina taught pruning at Edmonds College for twenty years, sharing her experience-based approach with generations of students and professionals.

Christina holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State University and the University of Washington and is an ISA Certified Arborist.

Reflecting on her lifelong work, she notes, “At this stage of my life, I remain humbled by the processes of nature and how much I am still learning about how to garden well.”

JJ Pursell Author, Herbalist, Naturopathic Physician

Session: Eat Your Yard: Wild Flavors from the Garden | DIY Stage | 2/19/2027, 2:45pm

Dr. JJ Pursell has dedicated her career to helping others live healthier lives by combining science, herbs, and natural medicine. Raised in Nebraska, she discovered her passion for plants on her father's flower farm and through years of gardening, which eventually led her to herbal medicine.

A licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist, JJ has practiced since 2007. Her latest book, Medicine from the Trees (Rizzoli, 2026), continues her work exploring plants' medicinal uses. She began writing books in 2013, sharing her knowledge of growing, cultivating, harvesting, and making herbal medicines from the garden.

When she isn't making medicine, teaching, or writing about a new curiosity, you'll find her puttering around her garden, checking in on her bees, and spending time with her family.

JJ-Pursell_Medicine-from-the-Trees

Teresa Rao Belle Pétale Founder, Floral Designer

Rebecca Raymond International Master Florist, Educator

Session: Houseplants with European Flair | DIY Stage | 2/19/2027, 10:15am

Rebecca Raymond is an internationally accredited floral designer and educator with more than 30 years of experience in the floral industry. She holds both European Master Certification (EMC) and International Master Florist (IMF) credentials and has taught workshops and created floral art installations around the world.

Known for her enthusiastic approach to education, Rebecca is passionate about sharing her knowledge, exploring the possibilities of floral design, and building community through teaching. Her international travels take her to workshops and demonstrations where she inspires others to discover their own creativity.

Based on Vashon Island, Washington, Rebecca draws constant inspiration from the woodlands and beaches of the Pacific Northwest.

Anne Reeves Author, Photographer

Session: Unexpected Vases: Upcycled Floral Design | DIY Stage | 2/17/2027, 4:15pm

Anne Reeves is an author, photographer, and speaker who has inspired people to find delight in everyday life through gardens, creativity, travel, and design since 2007. She has written three books: Finding Delight, PARIS: Delight in the City of Light, and Moments of Delight.

Known for her colorful container gardens, edible flowers, and imaginative upcycled floral designs, including her signature juice can bouquets, Anne encourages audiences to see beauty and possibility in unexpected places.

Country Living magazine recognized her as one of its Women Entrepreneurs for her distinctive creative voice. A longtime member and past Regional Director of GardenComm, Anne is an active member of the Pacific Northwest gardening community.

Rizaniño Reyes Author, Floral Designer, Heronswood Assistant Director, Horticulturist

Session: Botanical Couture Basics | DIY Stage | 2/20/2027, 11:45am

Rizaniño “Riz” Reyes is a Filipino-American horticulturist based in the Pacific Northwest. His interest in gardening began at age seven, when he watched public television cooking and gardening shows while learning English.

He holds a degree in environmental horticulture from the University of Washington and is the Assistant Director of Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington. He also runs RHR Horticulture, working as a garden educator, content creator, and floral designer.

In 2019, Riz received the Emerging Horticultural Professional Award from the American Horticultural Society. He also wrote Grow: A Family Guide to Plants and How to Grow Them (Magic Cat, 2022), a children's nonfiction book illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows.

Aimee Rhynalds Dahlia Grower, Owner of The Dahlia Barn

Session: Dahlias Simplified | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 4:30pm

Aimee Rhynalds is the owner of The Dahlia Barn in North Bend, Washington, where she has been growing field-grown dahlia tubers since 2002. The Dahlia Barn operates growing fields in both King and Kittitas counties, offering gardeners a wide variety of dahlias.

A longtime participant in the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, The Dahlia Barn first exhibited in 2007 and will celebrate its 21st year at the 2027 Festival.

Aimee and The Dahlia Barn have been featured on Gardening with Ciscoe in 2011 and 2013, in Sunset magazine, and on Seattle Refined in September 2024.

Chia-Ming Ro Content Creator, Educator, Garden Designer

Session 1: Container Showdown | 2/19/2027, 11:00am

Session 2: Design Before You Dig | Adams Room | 2/19/2027, 1:30pm

Chia-Ming Ro is a former finance executive turned garden designer, educator, and content creator who specializes in kitchen and cut flower gardens. Through her platform, Coastal Homestead, she shares stories and practical guidance that inspire others to grow with purpose and style.

Her work blends design and cultivation, encouraging gardeners to create spaces that are both beautiful and productive. With a focus on intention and creativity, Chia-Ming helps people connect more deeply with their gardens and discover the joy of growing something uniquely their own.

Nita-Jo Rountree Author, Educator, NHS Vice-President

Session: Plants You Didn't Know You Couldn't Live Without | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 3:00pm

Nita-Jo Rountree is a garden writer, speaker, educator, and author of Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest (Sasquatch Books, 2017).

She serves on the Heronswood Steering Committee, is a former Vice President of the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, and is Vice President of the Northwest Horticultural Society.

Nita-Jo also serves as a Best Use of Color judge at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. She joins Ciscoe Morris for the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society's weekly Plant of the Week videos on Facebook and Instagram.

Gene Rozenboom Garden Tour Host, IPM Specialist

Session: Gardening with Dinosaurs | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 3:00pm

Gene Rozenboom's interest in gardening began in Iowa, where he spent his childhood exploring his mother's vegetable garden. He earned a degree in Agricultural Education with a minor in Horticulture from Iowa State University and went on to work as an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist with the Extension Service.

An experienced garden tour leader, Gene has guided tours to the Netherlands and Denmark. He is active in the North American Maple Society and the American Conifer Society, and is a member of several other horticultural organizations, including the Denmark Garden Society, Dutch Garden Foundation, International Magnolia Society, and Hardy Fern Foundation.

For the past 12 years, Gene has cultivated a garden on a steep hillside in Portland, Oregon, where he experiments with Piet Oudolf-inspired planting designs and incorporates unusual and whimsical plants throughout the landscape.

Patrick Ryan Alaska Botanical Garden Education Specialist, Master Gardener, Communicator

Session: Plants as Kincentric Portals | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 12:00pm

Patrick Ryan is a garden communicator, Alaska Master Gardener, and longtime Education Specialist at the Alaska Botanical Garden, where he has worked for 20 years.

He trained as a Junior Master Gardener Specialist at Texas A&M and started a summer camp in Anchorage in 2004. Patrick has presented engaging, practical horticultural talks across the country, sharing his expertise with gardeners, educators, and especially children, the gardeners of tomorrow.

Christina Salwitz Author, Horticulturist, Landscape Designer, Photographer

Tess Schiavone GGN Principal, Landscape Designer, Native Plant Advocate

Session: From Lawns to Living Neighborhoods | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 10:00am

Tess Schiavone is a Principal at the internationally renowned landscape architecture firm GGN, where she works with diverse project teams designing private residential gardens, urban parks, and campuses.

Passionate about regenerating landscapes through ecology and native planting design, Tess is currently helping develop Meadowshop, a GGN initiative promoting the beauty and benefits of Pacific Northwest native plants in gardens.

She also volunteers regularly at youth, horticultural, and gardening events and serves on panels and juries for local and national organizations.

Jessica Scovel Houseplant Expert, Owner of Buds Interior Plant Design

Session 1: Mounting Epiphytes: Fern Edition | Creative Studio | 2/17/2027, 10:00am

Session 2: Mounting Epiphytes: Orchid Edition | Creative Studio | 2/20/2027, 10:00am

Jessica Scovel is a houseplant expert and owner of Buds Interior Plant Design, a Woodinville-based business where she combines her love of houseplants with an eye for interior design to create thriving, stylish indoor spaces.

Jessica and her team specialize in pairing plants with each client's aesthetic, lifestyle, and lighting conditions, ensuring healthy, long-lasting greenery. They also provide weekly plant maintenance services for professional offices.

Through Buds, Jessica hosts interactive make-and-take workshops, including the popular Sip & Soil events, where plant lovers can create, learn, and grow together.

Her mission is to turn every “brown thumb” green by making plant care approachable, educational, and fun while fostering a sense of community.

Kelsey Segaloff Content Creator, Podcast Host, Nerd

Session 1: Design Like a Theme Park: Storytelling with Plants | Adams Room | 2/20/2027, 4:30pm

Session 2: Container Showdown | | 2/21/2027, 11:00am

Kelsey Segaloff is a Massachusetts-based garden educator, content creator, and lifelong nerd who explores where plants and storytelling meet. Through her platform, Sprouts and Stories, she creates playful, beginner-friendly content for “nerds who garden and gardeners who nerd.”

Her work goes beyond the traditional backyard garden, exploring how plants shape theme parks, video games, board games, and popular culture. Whether she's explaining how theme parks use horticulture to tell stories or turning gardening mechanics from games into real-life ideas, Kelsey helps audiences see gardens and fictional worlds in a new way.

Lane Selman Author, Culinary Breeding Network Founder, Professor OSU

Session 1: Meet & Greet: Culinary Breeding Network | 2/20/2027, 12:30pm

Session 2: Radicchio Amore: From Seed to Table | Adams Room | 2/20/2027, 1:30pm

Lane Selman is a Professor at Oregon State University, author of Radicchio: A Celebration of the Beloved Italian Vegetable (Timber Press, 2026), and a nationally recognized leader in the movement to connect agriculture, flavor, and community.

In 2012, she founded the Culinary Breeding Network, a community-driven initiative connecting plant breeders, farmers, chefs, and eaters to develop and promote diverse, organic, and flavorful varieties of vegetables, grains, pulses, and fruits. Through plant breeding, biodiversity, and collaboration, her work is helping reshape how we grow, enjoy, and celebrate food.

Lane's work has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, The Wall Street Journal, Civil Eats, EatingWell, and Saveur. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

John Shewey Author, Birding Authority, Photographer

Session: For the Love of Hummingbirds | Rainier Room | 2/19/2027, 11:15am

John Shewey is a professional writer, photographer, editor, and speaker whose work has appeared in dozens of magazines, covering everything from fly-fishing and travel to natural history, wildlife, cuisine, and canines.

The longtime editor-in-chief of American Fly Fishing magazine, John is the author of nearly two dozen books. His latest, The Owl Handbook (Timber Press, 2025), joins popular titles including The Hummingbird Handbook, Classic Steelhead Flies, Birds of the Pacific Northwest, and Oregon Beaches: A Traveler's Companion.

John rejoices in the outdoors, is addicted to fly angling, and loves studying wildlife. A desert rat who has left boot prints in some of Oregon's most remote places, he revels in tiny towns, excellent whisky, good wine, decent ales, remote campsites, backcountry roads, and a few other hobbies that keep him hopping, always with camera and keyboard close at hand.

Lindsay Sisti Author, Aroid Hybridizer, Houseplant Educator

Session 1: Plant Bingo| HOP | 2/18/2027, 3:15pm

Session 2: Free Plants! Propagate Like the Pros | DIY Stage | 2/20/2027, 4:15pm

Lindsay Sisti, known as @alltheplantbabies on social media, is a houseplant educator, author, and aroid hybridizer. She is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation (Cool Springs Press, 2024).

Lindsay has developed more than fifteen unique Anthurium hybrids and seven Alocasia hybrids, including the popular Anthurium Red Crystal Blush and the patented Alocasia 'Green Unicorn.'

Through her social media channels, she combines science, education, and humor to make complex plant concepts approachable and accessible to growers of all experience levels.

Richie Steffen Author, Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden Executive Director

Session 1: Great Plant Picks: Beauty, Bounty & Biodiversity | Main Stage | 2/17/2027,1:00pm

Session 2: Container Showdown: Celebrity Edition | 2/18/2027, 1:00pm

Richie Steffen is the Executive Director of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, where he oversees the garden's development, educational programs, and exceptional plant collections. With more than 40 years of horticultural experience, including 27 at the Miller Garden, Richie is widely recognized for his expertise in plants suited to Pacific Northwest gardens.

He serves as chair of the Great Plant Picks selection committee, leading the Miller Garden's flagship educational program that identifies outstanding plants for regional gardens. Richie is also vice-president of the Hardy Fern Foundation and a contributing editor of Fine Gardening magazine.

An accomplished lecturer, writer, and photographer, he is co-author, with Sue Olsen, of The Plant Lover's Guide to Ferns (Timber Press, 2015).

Nan Sterman Author, Botanist, Garden Designer, Journalist, Television Host

Session 1: Let’s Talk Trash: Gardening Beyond the Bin | Hood Room | 2/19/2027, 12:00pm

Session 2: Make Every Drop Count: Garden Irrigation Basics | Hood Room | 2/19/2027, 3:45pm

Nan Sterman connects plants, people, and the planet. A botanist, garden designer, author, journalist, and television host, she advocates for gardens that work with local climates and environments rather than battle against them.

She is the author of Hot Color, Dry Garden (Timber Press, 2018), a practical guide to creating colorful, drought-resilient gardens. Nan also hosts and produces the award-winning television series A Growing Passion, available on PBS and YouTube.

Through Nan Sterman's Garden School, she offers gardening courses and workshops, along with her monthly GardenWise garden guide. She writes for gardening publications and marketing clients, leads international garden tours, and manages the Nan's San Diego Gardener Facebook community, which has more than 21,000 members.

Nan holds a bachelor's degree in botany from Duke University and master's degrees in biology from UC Santa Barbara and instructional design from San Diego State University.

Nan-Sterman_Hot-Color,-Dry-Garden

Amy Stewart NY Times Bestselling Author

Session 1: Birds: The Gateway Drug to Gardening | Adams Room | 2/19/2027,10:30am

Session 2: State Bird: A Nation Elects Its Feathered Representatives | Rainier Room | 2/19/2027,12:30am

Amy Stewart is a New York Times bestselling author whose award-winning nonfiction books explore the fascinating, surprising, and sometimes wicked side of the natural world. Her books include The Tree Collectors, The Drunken Botanist, and Wicked Plants.

Her newest book, State Bird: A Nation Elects Its Feathered Representatives (W. W. Norton, 2027), is being released early in conjunction with the 2027 Northwest Flower & Garden Festival.

Amy lives in Portland, Oregon.

Jen Szabo Landscape Architect, Public Artist

Session: From Lawns to Living Neighborhoods | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027,10:00am

Jen Szabo is a landscape architect and public artist with more than 25 years of experience creating landscapes that deepen the connection between people and nature. Her work spans therapeutic gardens, rooftop retreats, public spaces, and residential landscapes, all designed to foster well-being, resilience, and a strong sense of place.

Following the closure of Molbak's, where she served as Director of Molbak's Landscape, Jen established J Szabo Collaborative Landscapes in Woodinville, Washington. Working alongside members of her former team, she continues to create thoughtful landscapes rooted in environmental stewardship.

Passionate about mentoring emerging professionals, Jen helps cultivate the next generation of landscape architects and designers. She believes gardens have the power to heal, inspire, and strengthen communities, and works with homeowners to bring their visions for outdoor spaces to life.

Allen Taylor ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

Session: Think Like an Arborist: What to Prune & Why | DIY Stage | 2/18/2027,10:15am

Allen Taylor discovered his passion for trees at the University of Vermont, where he earned a bachelor's degree in forestry. After a short stint in traditional forestry, the jagged peaks and glaciers of the Pacific Northwest beckoned, and Allen moved cross-country.

Upon arrival, he began a career in arboriculture that combined his love of trees with his passion for all things climbing. Allen is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, holds the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and is a Registered Consulting Arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists.

Lisa Taylor Author, Master Composter, Organic Gardening Consultant

Session: Growing Food When Water is Scarce | DIY Stage | 2/21/2027,10:15am

Lisa Taylor is a garden speaker, educator, consultant, and author based in Shoreline, Washington. She is the author of The Maritime Northwest Garden Guide, 2nd Edition (Tilth Alliance, 2014) and Your Farm in the City: An Urban Dweller's Guide to Growing Food and Raising Animals.

A Master Composter and pioneer in children's gardening, Lisa spent two decades at Tilth Alliance developing her skills as a garden educator. She has been teaching people of all ages to garden organically for more than 30 years.

Lisa is passionate about helping people grow their own food and make the most of their landscapes. Through classes, writing, consulting, and playing the ukulele, she teaches people where their food comes from and how to grow and enjoy it.

For Lisa, eating is the main reason for growing plants!

Lindsey Teuteberg Author, Green Witch, Music Therapist

Session: The Wheel of the Year for Gardeners | Adams Room | 2/19/2027,12:00pm

Lindsey Teuteberg is an avid gardener, green witch, healer, and author of The Gardening Guide for Green Witches (Cool Springs Press, 2027).

A music therapist, counselor, musician, and community activist, Lindsey runs her own therapeutic practice and performs with her band, Black Moon Lilith, when she's not tending her garden.

She is also a founding member of her community's mutual aid network, which supports local residents through a variety of initiatives, including gardening-based programs.

Gina Thresher AIFD Floral Designer, International Master Florist

Session: Botanical Wall Art | DIY Stage | 2/17/2027, 1:15pm

Gina Thresher is the owner of From the Ground Up Floral, a Seattle-based wedding and event floral design studio. She is a floral designer, freelancer, and educator with certifications from the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), European Master Certification (EMC), and International Master Florist (IMF) programs.

A Pacific Northwest native, Gina discovered her passion for floristry while designing the flowers for her own wedding in 2008. She's been hooked ever since!

Drawn to a feminine design style and a lover of all things flowery, Gina describes herself as a textbook Gemini and extrovert who thrives on connecting with people. And her favorite flower? Roses.

Francis Tophill Judge, BBC Gardeners’ World Presenter, Chelsea Flower Show Winner

Session 1: Meet the Judges: What Makes a Winning Garden? | Adams Room | 2/17/2027, 10:30am

Session 2: There Is No Right or Wrong in Gardening | Rainier Room | 2/17/2027, 12:30pm

Session 3: The Modern Cottage Garden | Rainier Room | 2/18/2027, 12:30pm

Frances Tophill is a horticulturist, botanist, author, and television presenter whose work celebrates the connection between people, plants, and the natural world. One of the UK’s best-known gardening personalities, she joined BBC Gardeners’ World in 2016 and is also well known for her work alongside Alan Titchmarsh on ITV’s Love Your Garden.

An accomplished garden designer with a passion for sustainability and wildlife, Frances won Best Show Garden at Gardeners’ World Live in 2022. She went on to design the Curious Garden for the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, showcasing her imaginative and environmentally conscious approach to horticulture.

Her horticultural career began with an apprenticeship at The Salutation Garden in Kent, followed by a degree in Horticulture with Plantsmanship at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Beyond television and garden design, Frances is deeply committed to conservation and community gardening. She has worked extensively with vulnerable adults, including people with learning disabilities and mental health challenges, and contributed to native tree-planting projects with the Conifer Conservation Project and Moor Trees. She is also Patron of Thanet Urban Forest and works with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Campaign for School Gardening to inspire the next generation of gardeners.

Frances is the author of six books, including her most recent, A Wildflower Year: A Guide to Wildflowers, Their Habitats & Histories (Kyle Books, 2025), which explores 60 wildflower species, their habitats, and their place in the natural world. Her previous books include How to Grow a Garden, an illustrated introduction to gardening for younger readers.

Mark Turner Author, Garden Photographer

Session: 37 Native Gems for Northwest Gardens | Hood Room | 2/17/2027, 3:45pm

Mark Turner has been a professional photographer since 1993, specializing in gardens and native plants for books, magazines, and commercial clients.

He is the photographer and co-author of five books published by Timber Press, including his two newest releases, Western Washington and Oregon in Bloom (Timber Press, 2026) and Eastern Washington and Oregon in Bloom (Timber Press, 2026).

Mark's photography has appeared in numerous garden magazines and books published by Timber Press, Sunset Books, Cool Springs Press, Rodale, Meredith, and Lone Pine.

An active member of the Washington Native Plant Society, he has taught photography classes at Siskiyou Field Institute, North Cascades Institute, Whatcom Community College, and other locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Mary Marshall & Andrew Tuttle Co-founders of Edge Perma, Edmonds College Instructors, Pragtree Farm Stewards

Joseph Tychonievich Author, Comic Book Artist, Horticulturist, Plant Breeder

Session: Germinate! Growing from Seed Made Simple | Rainier Room | 2/21/2027, 10:00am

Joseph Tychonievich is a lifelong plant enthusiast, horticulturist, author, and plant breeder. He earned his horticulture degree from Ohio State University before working at specialty rare-plant nurseries in Japan and Michigan.

His forthcoming book, Germinate: The Essential Guide to Seed Starting and Saving (Chelsea Green, 2027), will be released in February 2027. His previous books include The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food: Step-by-Step Vegetable Gardening for Everyone (Ten Speed Press, 2021) and Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style.

Joseph's writing has appeared in Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and The New York Times. He also serves as editor of the North American Rock Garden Society's quarterly journal.

He lives and gardens in South Bend, Indiana, with his husband, three cats, and a truly excessive number of plants.

Ingela Wanerstrand Garden Coach & Designer, Horticulture Instructor

Mark Weathington Author, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum, Horticulture Professor

Session 1: Rethinking the Invasive Conundrum | Hood Room | 2/17/2027 , 10:45am

Session 2: Birth of a Botanic Garden | Adams Room | 2/18/2027 , 10:30am

Mark Weathington is the Director of the JC Raulston Arboretum and Professor of the Practice in the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University, where he is passionate about connecting plants with people.

He travels extensively in search of new plants to diversify the American landscape. His explorations have taken him to Asia, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, Uruguay, and throughout the United States.

Mark writes for Fine Gardening, Horticulture, and other national magazines. He is also the author of Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner's Guide (Timber Press, 2017).

Haley Wiggins Botanist, Bloedel Reserve Natural Area Conservation Manager

Session: Meadow Makeover: Lessons from Bloedel Reserve for Your Garden | Hood Room | 2/19/2027, 9:30am

Haley Wiggins is a botanist and Natural Area and Conservation Manager at Bloedel Reserve, where she oversees the bird marsh and pollinator meadow and leads conservation initiatives.

She holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Montana's College of Forestry and Conservation, where she studied ecological restoration and landscape, forest, and fire ecology. Before moving into horticulture, Haley worked as a field biologist and botanist, studying the effects of fire on vegetation.

Since joining Bloedel Reserve in 2019, she has co-authored its Forest Management Plan, initiated conservation programs and meadow experiments, and developed partnerships with local conservation agencies.

Pamela Wilkins Creator Garden Optional, Librarian, Zine Maker

Session: Garden Optional: Grow Where You Are | Adams Room | 2/19/2027 , 4:30pm

Pamela Wilkins is a zine maker, librarian, and creator of Garden Optional, where she explores the connections between gardening, community, resilience, and everyday creativity.

She coined the term "garden optional" to describe people who love plants but feel disconnected from traditional gardening because of limited space, experience, confidence, time, or income. Growing mostly in containers, Pamela credits years without outdoor space for shaping her creative approach.

Through writing, social media, and zines, she encourages hesitant, unconventional, and late-blooming gardeners to grow food and tend plants on their own terms. Her philosophy is simple: gardeners are made by mindset, not land ownership.

Matt Williams Educator, Plant & Soil Scientist, SoiLab Creator

Session: Soil Testing Made Simple | Hood Room | 2/21/2027, 1:15pm

Matt Williams is an educator and plant and soil scientist who currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Predictive Nutrient Solutions. Based in Southeast Washington, he and his wife manage a diverse 10-acre property with gardens, raised beds, native plants, food plots, and lawn.

With 16+ years in higher education, Matt taught Plant & Soil Science at Washington State University and Walla Walla Community College, where he also chaired the Agriculture Department. He remained active in industry as an agronomist and later Director of R&D at Predictive Nutrient Solutions.

Matt now focuses on education through his YouTube channel, SoiLab, and by working with Master Gardeners and Conservation Districts. He speaks at regional events and serves on the Walla Walla County Conservation District Board. He holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Crop Science (WSU) and an A.S. in Turfgrass Management.

Silas Zoeller Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy Horticulturist, Rare Plant Enthusiast

Session: Birth of a Botanic Garden | Adams Room | 2/18/2027, 10:30am

Silas Zoeller is a self-described rabid rare plant enthusiast. His experience working at some of the UK's great gardens sparked an interest in plant conservation and a determination to broaden plant lovers' horizons.

He now works with the exceptional plant collection at Far Reaches Botanical Conservancy and has traveled to Asia and South America on plant-hunting expeditions.

While Silas refuses to be pinned down to any one type of plant, ancient plant lineages remain a particular favorite, especially ferns of all sorts.