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Speaker Series
Each year, Cloverleaf Garden Club hosts talented gardening, horticulture and other experts, promising to engage us, teach us and amuse us. From gardening myths to tips and tricks, from flowers to veggies, we work hard to showcase a variety of topics that will help you with your gardening dreams.
Presentations are on the third Wednesday of the month from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at 1389 Cawthra Rd., Mississauga.
2026 Speakers
Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden
Botanizing in Patagonia
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
7:30 pm
What better way to spend a midwinter evening than “armchair travelling” to exotic lands for a glimpse of their floral bounty? We.won’t have armchairs at our February meeting, but the next best thing is to join our fellow members in our round table setting for a botanical presentation.
Join us on February 18th to learn about the flora of the wilds of Patagonia from the intrepid travelling duo Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden. Botanizing in Patagonia offers a rich and diverse experience, with unique flora found across its varied ecosystems, from lush temperate rainforests to the arid Patagonian steppe. The region, known for its stunning landscapes and strong winds, requires plants to have adapted for survival in a challenging climate.
Barbara Cooper and Bella Seiden have been gardening together in Toronto for more than 25 years.They have a plant collector’s garden in an urban setting, where they have constructed a tufa garden, crevice and rock garden as well as perennial beds Over the years they have developed an interest in seeing plants in their natural habitat and have traveled several times to South America, South Africa, and Turkey. They are members of the Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society where they are responsible for the Speaker’s Programme.
Melissa Finn
Introduction to the World of Wild Edibles
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
7:30 pm
This talk is designed to introduce you to the exciting idea that there is food everywhere! Your foraging host Mel Finn is driven by curiosity and approaches foraging with a focus on how to use wild food in the kitchen and in beverages.
Hi, I’m Melissa Finn—a forager, mother, and lifelong lover of the wild. My journey with nature began as a child, exploring the forest for hours and discovering its endless abundance. Over the years, that sense of curiosity has grown into a deep commitment to celebrating and sharing the untamed flavours nature provides.
I’m passionate about connecting people to the natural world, whether through guided foraging walks, wild food and drink creations, or simply sharing the joy of discovering overlooked treasures like mushrooms, berries, and so-called “weeds.” From crafting cocktails with foraged botanicals to fermenting sodas with wild-harvested yeast, my work is all about honouring the ingredients in each season, and the stories they tell.
Foraging, for me, is more than gathering food—it’s about slowing down, connecting with the rhythms of the earth, and cultivating gratitude for the gifts nature offers. Through my writing, workshops, and recipes, I hope to inspire others to explore these connections, tread lightly, and find wonder in the simple beauty of the wild. When I’m not wandering the woods or experimenting in the kitchen, you’ll find me sharing my adventures and creations here at TheHonourableHarvest.com or on social media @TheHonourableHarvest.
Lorraine Johnson
This for That: Native Plant Alternatives for Beauty and Function
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
7:30 pm
In this illustrated talk, Lorraine presents native alternatives to the familiar flowers introduced from elsewhere that often fill our gardens. Using specific examples, Lorraine explores how we can achieve the same beauty in our landscapes but with enhanced ecological value by growing plants that provide habitat for pollinators and thrive with relatively little maintenance. Plant-by-plant native alternatives to introduced plants are featured.
“Lorraine Johnson has been one of the most constant and helpful advocates of putting native plants back into the garden.” (from the book A History of Canadian Gardening, by Carol Martin)
Lorraine is a writer, editor and community advocate who, when pressed to describe what unifies her work, has settled on the term cultivation activist.
The author of numerous books on growing native plants, gardening for pollinators, restoring habitat, and producing food in cities, Lorraine’s work focuses on people and communities growing plants, ecological health, and connection to nature and to each other.
Through her books, articles and community projects, she strives to advance the understanding that everything and everyone is connected and that, through our actions, we all have a role to play in making this world a better place for all life.
She’s a little bit earnest, but, she hopes, in a good way.
Andrew Jinkinson & Betty-May Evans
DOUBLE FEATURE: All about garden tools!
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
7:00 pm
Join us for our exciting first double bill featuring Lee Valley Garden Tools at a special time of 7 pm!
You'll enjoy insightful presentations from Lee Valley Manager, Andrew Jinkerson and esteemed Master Gardener Betty-May Evans. Whether you garden in rows, beds or containers, Lee Valley’s extensive selection of items covers the gamut of gardening tasks from digging, cultivating, planting and weeding to harvesting your garden’s bounty and seasonal clean-up.
Andrew Jinkinson has a diploma in Agriculture specializing in Horticulture from the University of Guelph and has worked in the industry for over 30 years with a broad knowledge base.
During this time, he has managed several large garden centers in the GTA. Andrew has been with Lee Valley Tools since the fall of 2017 and is currently managing the Vaughan location
Also, join Betty-May Evans, Mississauga Master Gardener, to learn key tips for garden tool care. Proper maintenance ensures efficiency and prevents disease spread among your plants. Follow her expert techniques to keep your tools in great shape.
Betty-May Evans, a passionate gardener who discovered her love for plants when she got married and settled into her own home. After work, she would eagerly rush to her yard, excited see the daily changes and even experimenting with starting her own seeds. Life took a turn with the arrival of her children, but as they grew more independent, her gardening passion blossomed once again. In 2022, Betty-May turned her love for gardening into fulfilling career, helping private clients and her team at Garden Girls to maintain and beautify their gardens throughout the seasons.
Lianne Harris
Blooms of Power: The Untold Story of Flowers
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
7:30 pm
From the sacred lotus of ancient Egypt to the tulip mania of the Dutch Golden Age, the story of human civilization is rooted in the soil. Blooms of Power reveals how flowers have influenced empires, religions, trade, and revolutions. Let Lianne Harris lead you down the garden path for 1-hour exploring flowers as symbols of power that reflect cultural values, scientific discovery, and even political intrigue. After this, you’ll no longer be a stranger in paradise!
Lianne was a former Social Studies/History Specialist with the Toronto District School Board, guest instructor and workshop leader for many other school boards in Southern Ontario, and curriculum advisor for Upper Canada College, having taught over 100,000 teachers and students (usually in authentic period clothing). She has been involved in various initiatives such as the Freedman Bank Records for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington and with entrepreneurial artists and business start-ups in developing countries. In 2003, she was selected by W.O.M.A.D. as one of Toronto’s Women of Influence and in 2009 was invited to be a contributing author of the Canadian best-seller business/self-help book, ‘The Power of Women United’. She is the author of two medieval novels. Appearing on TV and being interviewed on the radio many times, she has been the keynote presenter at many professional, academic and organization events.
Deva De Silva
Dahlias
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
7:30 pm
At Deva’s Gardens, the inspiration in collecting new varieties of dahlias comes from reflective experience of other growers – glowing accounts of success, trials and tribulations, and the eternal excitement surrounding the wonderful world of growing dahlias!
Deva finds her true identity in gardening, where she nurtures life and transforms nature's gifts. With her gardening hat on, she becomes a powerful creator, turning humble tubers into stunning dahlias and bulbs into fragrant bouquets of lilies. Each rooted plant blooms into a graceful peony, showcasing her dedication and skill. In her garden, Deva is not just a gardener; she is an artist, cultivating beauty and joy in every corner.
Her garden is where she enter into a meditative state when her mind stills and observes her interactions with plants. Among the trees, complexities of the human world disappear, and the plant world takes over, serenading her with peace.
Riley Talarico
In the Zone: Turn Your Garden into a Wildlife Habitat
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
7:30 pm
Gardeners have a vital role to play in supporting native wildlife. This talk will highlight the importance of native plant gardening, habitat connectivity, and thoughtful garden design in creating meaningful habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Attendees will learn practical, garden-scale strategies to support biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem health, and build more resilient gardens. The presentation will also introduce attendees to WWF-Canada's re:grow and In the Zone programs and how they support gardeners in taking action. Attendees will learn how individual efforts fit into broader conservation work and how gardeners can access tools and resources to contribute to collective conservation efforts in the Carolinian Zone and across Canada.
Riley Talarico is an Associate Specialist working in conservation at WWF-Canada. With a background in field-based conservation and environmental education, Riley works on WWF-Canada's Community Action Team to connect people with practical, accessible ways to take action for nature through gardening, school programs, and collective action projects. Riley advocates for community participation in science and works to empower individuals to help restore ecosystems across Canada.
Michael Erdman
Forcing Bulbs
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
7:30 pm
Imagine the vibrant colours of spring blooming right inside your living room, even in the heart of winter. Forcing flower bulbs is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy your favourite spring blooms early, brightening up your home during the colder months. With the home-forcing method, you can nurture tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other bulbs indoors, giving them a gentle nudge to bloom well before their outdoor counterparts. This technique allows you to experience the joy of spring flowers as early as Christmas, adding colour and fragrance to your indoor spaces. Michael Erdman will be back with us once again for our last session of the year to present tips and techniques on choosing which bulbs are best for indoor forcing and how to plant and care for them for a successful show of blooms.
Michael is a certified floral judge from the RBG and the Garden Club of Ontario and is an award-winning floral designer known for his stunning creations at Canada Blooms and the CNE. He will guide us in crafting beautiful festive holiday urns and a decorative door swag, with a focus on using foraged greenery and natural materials from your own garden. Don't miss this opportunity to bring a touch of nature to your holiday decor!