Toronto Botanical Garden is thrilled to announce that award-winning horticulturist Paul Zammit will collaborate with the Garden for a limited engagement, as the inaugural guest conductor for the 2024 season. This exciting partnership marks a significant milestone for the Garden as it continues to elevate its horticultural displays and engage with the community.
With the generous support of a long-term donor and garden visionary Kathy Dembroski and her late husband George, the Garden will enhance its spring through fall horticultural displays by introducing its first garden guest conductor. Like the role of a conductor in an orchestra, the guest conductor at the Garden will collaborate closely with the staff and volunteers to orchestrate captivating and innovative horticultural displays.
“A guest conductor is a respected and inspiring individual who collaborates with the horticulture staff and volunteers to achieve something that the sum of the parts would not achieve on their own,” explains Stephanie Jutila, Executive Director at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
Paul Zammit, known for his creativity, passion, and expertise in horticulture, brings a wealth of experience to this role. His limited engagement with the Garden is welcomed with great enthusiasm, as he partners with the Garden’s horticulture staff, garden volunteers and plant providers Ball FloraPlant and PanAmerican Seeds to create outdoor displays that inspire and educate visitors.
“I’m thrilled to be involved with the Garden to collaborate with the TBG for the 2024 season,” says Paul Zammit. “My goal is to continue to share my love of plants and gardens with others while also continuing to learn from both the garden and the wonderful TBG horticulture team.”
With over 35 years of experience, Zammit has become a respected figure in the world of gardening. Zammit is a faculty member at Niagara College and the former Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden, renowned for his passion for inspiring others in the field. In addition to his work at Niagara College, one of Zammit’s notable contributions to horticulture is his role as the gardening host on popular radio programs “Ontario Today” and “Here and Now” on CBC Radio One. Through this platform, Zammit reaches a wide audience, sharing practical gardening tips, expert advice, and insights into the world of plants. His engaging presence and wealth of knowledge have made him a trusted voice in the gardening community. Zammit is actively involved in various horticultural organizations and initiatives including co-leading garden tours abroad with Marjorie and Jeff Mason. He is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and contributor to industry publications, sharing his insights and expertise with audiences worldwide. Paul is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2019 and 2021 Garden Communicator of the Year award from Landscape Ontario. In 2023 he received the Educator award from the Perennial Plant Association.
The Toronto Botanical Garden welcomes visitors to experience the exceptional horticultural displays curated under Paul Zammit’s guidance which will start to be unveiled in May 2024. Follow along on the Garden’s Instagram (@TBG_Canada) for updates from the garden.
About Ball Flora Plant
Ball FloraPlant is a leading brand of vegetative propagated plant varieties that has won critical acclaim for its ability to produce clean, healthy cuttings. Ball FloraPlant is at the forefront of innovative breeding. Their dedicated teams reinvent plant classes for new relevance and renewed excitement. (ballfloraplant.com)
About Kathy and George Dembroski
Kathy and George Dembroski have been long-term donors and champions of the Toronto Botanical Garden. Their leadership gift in 2004 naming the Visitor Centre the “George and Kathy Dembroski Centre for Horticulture,” which houses the administrative offices in addition to providing learning and meeting spaces that enhance TBG’s ability to be an inspiring plant oasis, a dynamic community hub, and an engaging learning environment. Kathy was instrumental in launching Canada Blooms in 1997, Canada’s largest flower and garden festival hosted in partnership with the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario.
