Originally from Edmonton, John studied Horticulture in Alberta before eventually settling in the Niagara region and starting the Ontario nursery facility in 1988. He has taught perennial courses for various colleges and undertaken further studies with garden designer John Brookes.

John spends a good deal of his time working on the Heritage Perennials® website (www.perennials.com) and answering e-mail from gardeners all over North America. He's also a frequent speaker at garden clubs and conferences.

His book, the Perennial Gardening Guide is now in its 4th edition (March, 2003). This book is the most up-to-date reference for the varieties of perennials available in Canada and the USA.

John's own garden in the Niagara Region is under constant renovation. Known as "The Tangled Garden", it's an eclectic collection of plants growing around a century farmhouse.