Recommended Presenters

Find experts in a wide range of gardening and environmental topics for your next garden club meeting or special event. See our list of suggested presenters below.

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Speakers are listed alphabetically by last name with areas of expertise highlighted below. Click on any name to learn more.

Matthew Alfs
Edible and medicinal weeds and wild plants

 

Faith Applequist
Pruning, fruit trees, trees for MN, climate change and steps to sustainability

 

Paul Buck
Tree pruning and maintenance, community gardens, greening projects, landscaping for wildlife and energy conservation, prairie gardens

 

Bob Dahm
Organic lawncare, alternative turf, biological buckthorn remediation, soil health, season extension for northern gardens

 

William Dougherty
Water iris, low-maintenance landscapes, tubers and corms, lilies, rock gardens

 

Soni Forsman
Water gardening in containers, pondless waterfalls, growing lotus and waterlilies

 

Philippe Gallandat
Fearless pruning, garden art, plant propagation, container gardening, backyard berry growing, herbs, rock gardens, repairing shrub and tree injuries

 

Heidi Heiland
Container gardening, edible landscapes, perennials, horticultural therapy, future of gardenscaping, environmental trends

Heather Holm
Pollinators, native bee biology and natural history, beneficial insects, native plants, ecological landscape restoration, pollination ecology

 

Jane Horn 
Shade gardening, ornamental plant selection and design tips, containers for shade and sun

 

Mimi Hottinger
Urban forestry, invasive plant issues, pruning, choosing trees and shrubs

 

Rick Juliusson
MSHS strategic plan, expanding Society reach over next five years and impact in the Minnesota (and beyond) horticultural movement

 

Joel Karsten
Strawbale gardens, landsape lighting, composting, building an outdoor room, year-round container gardening

 

Jennifer Knutson
Cutting garden, peonies, clematis, miniature gardens, shade gardens, moon gardens, houseplants, lilies, hostas, flowering shrubs, spring-blooming bulbds, attracting birds and butterflies, vines, outdoor entertaining

 

Vera Krischik
Pest management, Japanese beetles, pollinator conservation, native bees and pesticides, rose pests, climate change and insects, exotic insects

 

Debbie Lonnee
New perennials and woody plants, evolution of Bailey Nurseries brands

Jim Lovestar
Food dehydration, growing microgreens and sprouts, composting

 

Peter MacDonagh
Urban trees, greenroofs, trees and stormwater, green infrastructure, soil analysis, wetland and shore restoration, landscaping for wildlife

 

Michelle Mero Riedel
Winter sowing, garden photography, cool-weather containers, best annuals and perennials, mixing veggies and herbs and flowers, container garden trends, adding adventurous color to the garden

 

Gail Nozal
Pruning trees and shrubs, landscaping for energy conservation, urban trees, evergreens, pests and diseases of urban trees, bur oak blight, oak wilt and Dutch elm disease

 

Vickie Pondell
Trees, shrubs, roses, perennials, nursery production practices

 

Stephen Saupe
Trees or shrubs of central MN, natural history of spring wildflowers, woodland flowers, edible wild plants

 

Courtney Tchida
Planning your spring garden, rotation, companions, successions and cover crops