Horticulture Landscape Faculty

Jamie Ellison is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College Landscape Horticulture Technology Program. His employment experience includes working in Scotland with specialty plants at Jack Drake's Alpine Nursery. He worked in all aspects of plant culture, but focused mainly on growing, propagation and sales of specialty plants.

He also worked at the Memorial University Botanical Garden in St. John's, Newfoundland. His work included maintenance on specialty gardens, botanical inventories, interpretive tours and specialty plant propagation. Jamie also worked at Springvale Nurseries, Nova Scotia, in wholesale plant sales.

Recently Jamie has completed a Diploma in Adult Education through the Nova Scotia Community College, where he instructs in the Horticulture programs at the Kingstec Campus in Kentville.

Jamie's specialties include horticultural sales and marketing, plant classification and horticultural presentations on unique plants and gardens. He is an avid collector of rare and specialty plant material. Recently, Jamie focuses his attention in the field of “green technology,” specifically on Biowalls and Greenroof principles and practices. He is currently finishing a Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Horticulture.  

Jamie is also an accomplished photographer and writes in many horticultural periodicals. Jamie has recently started to hybridize Rhododendrons. He lives and gardens in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Jamie Ellison - Faculty, Horticulture Landscape
NSCC Kingstec, Nova Scotia

Tel:   902-690-2427 | Fax:  902-679-1141 | Email: james.ellison@nscc.ca

Tim Amos has been gardening professionally since he was eleven.  Even at that young age, he knew that horticulture was to be his career.  From 1977 to 1980, he trained at the famous Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture.  The practical training program at the school was to be the inspiration for his future career in education.   In 1980, Tim left his native Ontario for a landscape job in Nova Scotia.   One year later he decided to start a company of his own.  So, with an old truck and a strong conviction of service excellence, Valley Horticultural Services was born.  For fifteen years his company grew from a one man show, to a full service design, build and maintenance provider.  His clients ranged from large commercial accounts to small residential.  Over the years the company’s work was recognized with various awards.  Their “Green Guarantee”, became a standard of excellence in the Annapolis Valley.

Sharing his horticultural knowledge with the community was always important to Tim.  Whether it was substitute teaching at the college, helping to start a new garden club, or assisting with training sessions with local businesses, Tim was always involved.  In 1994, the Landscape Technician Program was initiated.  Tim was hired to develop and teach the new program.  His company was sold in 1996 to allow him to concentrate fully on his new challenge.  Tim’s practical training from Ontario is evident at Kingstec.  The campus gardens have been developed to support a practical training regime and offer a varied year round horticultural experience to students.   Recognizing a need for a broader learning experience, Tim initiated an international work experience in England at the Herstmonceaux Castle.   Participating students learned new techniques and came home with wonderful portfolios.

Tim specializes in sustainable garden installation and maintenance.  He believes strongly in “old fashioned horticulture” and as a result teaches thorough soil preparation and maintenance techniques that result in healthy landscapes.  He is also convinced that in order for students to learn they must “get their hands dirty.”

Professional memberships include; Landscape Nova Scotia Horticultural Trades Association, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture Alumni Association, Royal Horticultural Society, and Valley Gardeners.  He is involved with judging Awards of Excellence at both the provincial and national levels, Communities in Bloom and speaking for local garden clubs.

Tim lives at Idlewyld Gardens in Medford, Nova Scotia with his wife and dogs.  He operates a small consulting company and enjoys sharing good food and fine wine with his friends.

Tim Amos - Faculty, Horticulture Landscape
NSCC Kingstec, Nova Scotia

Tel:   902-679-7354 | Fax:  902-690-2421 | Email: tim.amos@nscc.ca

Bonnie Levy grew up on a small farm in New Ross, NS, and currently resides on a farm in the local area with her beloved pet Riley and partner Greg, who owns and operates a local horticulture business.

In 1993, she graduated from the Horticulture Services program at NSCC Kingstec Campus. Her official horticulture career began at Springvale Nurseries where she was responsible for a wide range of horticultural duties. Three years later she obtained a position at Blomidon Nurseries working in the wholesale department where she was able to further develop her customer service skills. In 1999, a new position was created at Kingstec Campus as Program Assistant, for the Horticulture Programs and she was the successful candidate.

As Program Assistant some of her responsibilities include maintaining plant material, maintenance of greenhouses, overseeing the purchasing of supplies and materials for all three programs, monitoring students during lab periods, among a host of other duties. In addition to being responsible for the specific needs of the horticulture programs, she also maintains the beautiful campus grounds. When visiting the campus you can usually find her sitting behind the wheel of a tractor or turning something plain into something magnificent!"

Bonnie Levy - Program Assistant for Horticulture Landscape Program
NSCC Kingstec, Nova Scotia

Tel:   902-679-7434 | Fax:  902-679-1141 | Email: bonnie.levy@nscc.ca