Plants Seminars
LP068: NEW-Annuals: Improved Performance with an Array of Choices
How landscapers use annuals to beautify their outdoor spaces is constantly changing. Genetic advancements have improved bloom performance and disease tolerance of these plants. New plant introductions continue to increase your choices. Changing climate and garden spaces put new demands on the performance of these plants.
This session will provide you with tools for proper plant selection for a myriad of landscaping applications and help you and your clients get the most value from investing in annuals.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Monday February 2, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
How landscapers use annuals to beautify their outdoor spaces is constantly changing. Genetic advancements have improved bloom performance and disease tolerance of these plants. New plant introductions continue to increase your choices. Changing climate and garden spaces put new demands on the performance of these plants.
This session will provide you with tools for proper plant selection for a myriad of landscaping applications and help you and your clients get the most value from investing in annuals.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Monday February 2, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LP069: NEW-Life-Magnet: Creating a Layered Native Garden for Biodiversity
With the expanding trend toward landscaping to enhance all forms of life, the question becomes… ‘how’. Different species prefer different layers in the landscape canopy. For example, some birds and insects hang out in the upper canopy; others, on the ground, and others, anywhere in between. Having a landscape with trees, under storey trees, shrubs, perennials and leaf litter ensures a home for everyone. Thus biodiversity is enhanced. Also, by choosing plants favouring native species, and creating layers including varying heights of plants, focusing on what food and habitat niches those plants would fill, the life cycles of many species can be supported. This involves looking at all life stages: from birth (larva and eggs) to adulthood; and from first food sources to berries and insects. Also worth considering is where creatures need shelter; old logs, standing trees, twiggy shrubs for nesting, and more.
We’ll delve into recommended plant choices, design considerations, the ‘native vs. non’ issue, and finer details such as supporting obligat feeders (those that can feed on only one genus or species).
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Thursday February 5, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
With the expanding trend toward landscaping to enhance all forms of life, the question becomes… ‘how’. Different species prefer different layers in the landscape canopy. For example, some birds and insects hang out in the upper canopy; others, on the ground, and others, anywhere in between. Having a landscape with trees, under storey trees, shrubs, perennials and leaf litter ensures a home for everyone. Thus biodiversity is enhanced. Also, by choosing plants favouring native species, and creating layers including varying heights of plants, focusing on what food and habitat niches those plants would fill, the life cycles of many species can be supported. This involves looking at all life stages: from birth (larva and eggs) to adulthood; and from first food sources to berries and insects. Also worth considering is where creatures need shelter; old logs, standing trees, twiggy shrubs for nesting, and more.
We’ll delve into recommended plant choices, design considerations, the ‘native vs. non’ issue, and finer details such as supporting obligat feeders (those that can feed on only one genus or species).
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Thursday February 5, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP070: NEW-Perennials: Better Versions Available
The choices of perennials now available can be overwhelming. "Just how many different echinacea cultivars does the horticultural industry need anyhow!:)" The landscape industry has been very comfortable with the tried and true species and cultivars of perennials to-date but, with all of the recent breeding efforts focused upon perennials, it is becoming evident that the old standbys can be improved upon and better versions are now available.
This seminar will help you make discerning selections from all of those choices and apply them effectively in your design applications.
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Friday February 6, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The choices of perennials now available can be overwhelming. "Just how many different echinacea cultivars does the horticultural industry need anyhow!:)" The landscape industry has been very comfortable with the tried and true species and cultivars of perennials to-date but, with all of the recent breeding efforts focused upon perennials, it is becoming evident that the old standbys can be improved upon and better versions are now available.
This seminar will help you make discerning selections from all of those choices and apply them effectively in your design applications.
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Friday February 6, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LP071: NEW - Creating Space for Native Species in Every Landscape
Not every client loves the look of a pollinator or naturalized garden, but there are strategies for enhancing biodiversity in every garden style through soil management and the addition of native plants. During this half day seminar we will look at a number of ways to increase the number of native species, both flora and fauna, in the landscape.
Learning Objectives:
1. Start with the base: strategies for soil analysis and management
2. Analyze existing vegetation: what to keep and what to remove
3. Create a plan: using native species as specimens, borders and ground covers.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Adele Pierre, Adele Pierre Landscape Architect
Date: Thursday February 12, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Not every client loves the look of a pollinator or naturalized garden, but there are strategies for enhancing biodiversity in every garden style through soil management and the addition of native plants. During this half day seminar we will look at a number of ways to increase the number of native species, both flora and fauna, in the landscape.
Learning Objectives:
1. Start with the base: strategies for soil analysis and management
2. Analyze existing vegetation: what to keep and what to remove
3. Create a plan: using native species as specimens, borders and ground covers.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Adele Pierre, Adele Pierre Landscape Architect
Date: Thursday February 12, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LG055: NEW-What to do With a Downpour: Ornamental Ways to Handle Rainwater
Urban development has resulted in large areas of impermeable surfaces. This leads to poor water quality and erosion as well as drying of the creeks during droughts.
Techniques will be discussed to aid in infiltrating rainwater into the soil while beautifying your landscapes and allowing a more unusual palette of plants to be used.
Rain gardens can be a beautiful addition to any yard and can allow the planting of some truly interesting plants. They also help the environment by infiltrating water to clean it and restore the water table and base-flow (the water that seeps through the ground to our creeks).
We’ll cover how to design and build a rain garden, including placement, construction, and plant choices. Best of all, many municipalities and regions offer funding for projects like this!
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Thursday February 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Urban development has resulted in large areas of impermeable surfaces. This leads to poor water quality and erosion as well as drying of the creeks during droughts.
Techniques will be discussed to aid in infiltrating rainwater into the soil while beautifying your landscapes and allowing a more unusual palette of plants to be used.
Rain gardens can be a beautiful addition to any yard and can allow the planting of some truly interesting plants. They also help the environment by infiltrating water to clean it and restore the water table and base-flow (the water that seeps through the ground to our creeks).
We’ll cover how to design and build a rain garden, including placement, construction, and plant choices. Best of all, many municipalities and regions offer funding for projects like this!
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Thursday February 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP072: NEW-Native Shrubs to Know and Plant
Native shrubs can be the versatile foundation for every landscape. They provide instant structure, low-maintenance beauty, and high-quality habitat for wildlife. In urban landscapes, especially, where space can be at a premium, shrubs are an excellent alternative to lawn.
In this presentation, you’ll hear about a diverse array of native shrubs for various landscape situations and conditions.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Lorraine Johnson, Garden Author
Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Native shrubs can be the versatile foundation for every landscape. They provide instant structure, low-maintenance beauty, and high-quality habitat for wildlife. In urban landscapes, especially, where space can be at a premium, shrubs are an excellent alternative to lawn.
In this presentation, you’ll hear about a diverse array of native shrubs for various landscape situations and conditions.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Lorraine Johnson, Garden Author
Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LG056: NEW-Potted Exotics: What about Olives, Lemons, and Figs??
When your client says, “I’d like something different. Something unique,” or maybe you have a job that needs a special flourish. A Mediterranean touch.
What about adding potted olives, lemons, and figs as a premium choice you can help with.
Although none of these plants are fully hardy here in Ontario. They all do well in containers. And they can all take colder temperatures than many people realize. That means that you have overwintering options.
During this half day seminar participants will find out how to successfully grow maintain, prune and fertilize potted olive trees, potted lemon trees, and potted fig trees.
A seminar for those looking to hear a new potting idea for their next job or just for their own personal interest
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Steven Biggs, Food Garden Life Media
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
When your client says, “I’d like something different. Something unique,” or maybe you have a job that needs a special flourish. A Mediterranean touch.
What about adding potted olives, lemons, and figs as a premium choice you can help with.
Although none of these plants are fully hardy here in Ontario. They all do well in containers. And they can all take colder temperatures than many people realize. That means that you have overwintering options.
During this half day seminar participants will find out how to successfully grow maintain, prune and fertilize potted olive trees, potted lemon trees, and potted fig trees.
A seminar for those looking to hear a new potting idea for their next job or just for their own personal interest
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Steven Biggs, Food Garden Life Media
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LG048: Invasive Species Management Options
This seminar will discuss the difference between woody and herbaceous species, management options using mechanical methods or herbicides, personal protective equipment for removing invasive species and selecting the right methods/tools to prevent further spread into the landscape.
Note: 5.67 IPM Accreditation continuing education credits (CEC) available
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff Dickie, Conservation Halton
Date: Tuesday March 10, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
This seminar will discuss the difference between woody and herbaceous species, management options using mechanical methods or herbicides, personal protective equipment for removing invasive species and selecting the right methods/tools to prevent further spread into the landscape.
Note: 5.67 IPM Accreditation continuing education credits (CEC) available
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff Dickie, Conservation Halton
Date: Tuesday March 10, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP073: NEW-Woody Plants: Their Appeal and Uses in the Landscape
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem.
During this two-day seminar participants will learn:
• The basics of plant identification will be covered for trees and shrubs: leaf shapes, flowers, fruit, bark, leaf arrangement etc.
• The advantages and concerns surrounding woody plant choices will be covered, along
• includes discussion of plants suitable for rain gardens, attracting birds, invasive species, native species, hardiness zones, and suitability to soil type
• Over 120 species will be covered
• Plant care, including pruning will be touched on.
LO member price: $330.00
Non-member price: $580.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Dates: Wednesday March 11, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday March 12, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem.
During this two-day seminar participants will learn:
• The basics of plant identification will be covered for trees and shrubs: leaf shapes, flowers, fruit, bark, leaf arrangement etc.
• The advantages and concerns surrounding woody plant choices will be covered, along
• includes discussion of plants suitable for rain gardens, attracting birds, invasive species, native species, hardiness zones, and suitability to soil type
• Over 120 species will be covered
• Plant care, including pruning will be touched on.
LO member price: $330.00
Non-member price: $580.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Dates: Wednesday March 11, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday March 12, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP065: So Much To Learn (About Roses) So Little Time
Not today, we have an entire day set aside to discuss all about roses and answer your questions and concerns.
Starting from planting to pruning to winter care, we will explore the many ways to have a beautiful rose garden.
Care and maintenance will be extensively covered as well. We may even a prune a few roses in the class or outside.
Bring your enthusiasm and secateurs and spend a day with rosarians.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff McMann
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Seminars main menuNot today, we have an entire day set aside to discuss all about roses and answer your questions and concerns.
Starting from planting to pruning to winter care, we will explore the many ways to have a beautiful rose garden.
Care and maintenance will be extensively covered as well. We may even a prune a few roses in the class or outside.
Bring your enthusiasm and secateurs and spend a day with rosarians.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff McMann
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm