Bedding Plants

Jim Hole grew up in the renowned gardening family that owns Western Canada's largest commercial greenhouse operation, Hole's Greenhouse & Gardens. He is the coauthor of five books with his mother, the best-selling garden writer Lois Hole. Jim has also written extensively for the Old Farmer's Almanac, Canadian Gardening and the National Post. Since earning a bachelor of science in agriculture, Jim has continued to work for the family operation and has become a popular gardening personality. He writes a weekly gardening column for the Edmonton Journal and appears regularly on CBC radio and television call-in shows. Over the years, Jim has played an important role in Alberta's horticultural community. He served six years as chairman of the Special Crops Committee with the Alberta Agriculture Research Institute, four years as chairman of the Alberta Fresh Vegetable Marketing Board, and from 1985-86 was chairman of the Alberta Plant Health Advisory Committee. Jim is a frequent speaker before garden clubs and at trade shows across North America. He loves to share what he's learned from over 30 years of hands-on experience in the greenhouse. His guiding principle when sharing gardening knowledge is to stick to "practical advice and the science behind it."

The late LOIS HOLE was internationally renowned and beloved, both for her garden lore and her habit of hugging virtually everyone she met. With her passion for gardening and her business savvy, Lois helped turn a family business into a multi-million dollar garden centre. She also became the best-selling author of a series of down-to-earth gardening books, which have sold over 750,000 copies in Canada and the United States. Lois was a tremendous supporter of public education and served for years as a school board trustee and university chancellor. In her later life, she was honoured for her years of service by being appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, a position she held until her death in early 2005.