Author: elissaastorino
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Recognition Garden
It’s been wonderful to see the Recognition Garden at the Niagara Parks Botanic Gardens coming to life, with the plants filling in beautifully. Back in early 2024, Rieley and I designed the planting scheme for this garden as our winter project, choosing a woodland theme with mass plantings and a variety of textures to create…
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HortInsights Journal – Zen Gardens
In this piece, I share my experience visiting Zen gardens in Japan alongside renowned Japanese garden designer and author Yuri Ugaya . Walking through these gardens with Yuri gave me a deeper appreciation for the artistry, symbolism, and stories woven into each space. Thank you to the Australian Institute of Horticulture Inc. for featuring my…
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Junior Designer at Natures Own Landscapes
It’s been a pleasure working with Nature’s Own Landscape & Design as their Junior Landscape Designer. I’m excited to continue growing alongside such a talented team and contributing to future projects!
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Niagara On The Lake In Bloom
I was blown away by all the beautiful floral displays at the Niagara On The Lake In Bloom event last weekend! It was incredibly inspiring to see the creativity local florists and designers poured into each display. Well done to everyone who participated, and a huge congratulations to June Floral & Garden on being announced…
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Guest Speaker for Niagara Master Gardeners
I was truly honored to be invited as a guest speaker for the Niagara Master Gardeners. As the recipient of both the NMG Professional Leadership Award and the NMG Community Involvement Award, it was a pleasure to share my journey to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, my experiences at the competition, and the…
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Japanese Garden DesignerYuri Ugaya
It was an absolute pleasure meeting with Japanese garden designer and author Yuri Ugaya, an alumni of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. Yuri generously shared her expertise on Japanese and Zen gardens, and I was truly amazed by the depth of storytelling behind each garden element. It’s incredible how much imagination is involved—not only…
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The Yoshikien Garden
The Yoshikien Garden was one of my favorites during my visit to Japan. This tranquil oasis features three distinct gardens: a pond garden, a moss garden, and a tea ceremony garden. I was especially captivated by the moss garden, where the vibrant green landscape remained stunning even in winter. The winding paths and small plants…
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The Isuien Garden
The Isuien Garden in Nara, Japan, is a stunning example of traditional Japanese landscape design, which offers a serene escape from the outside world. The garden is divided into two sections, each reflecting a different era of design. The “Front Garden,” created in the 17th century while the “Backyard Garden,” was designed in the early…
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Kyoto Botanic Gardens
The Kyoto Botanical Garden offers a great experience year-round, even during Japan’s winter months! From the stunning outdoor gardens to the lush greenhouse and indoor displays, there’s always something to explore. In the photo above, you can see traditional straw coverings used to protect plants during the winter. These techniques, called “yukitsuri” for trees and…
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Reconnecting with Koji Ninomiya
It was a pleasure to reconnect with Koji Ninomiya and his wonderful wife, Michi. During my visit, I spent time working in their nursery, tending to their impressive bonsai collection and preparing perennial plants for repotting. It was fantastic catching up with Koji after working together on his garden at MIFGS and to learn more…