Horticulturalist for Algonquin College

Beverley Haslegrave has had an interest in plants since she was a child and, through her work as the horticulturalist for Algonquin College, she has turned this childhood hobby into a rewarding career.

“I’ve been doing this for 23 years now and I still love my job,” says Beverley. “I never thought I’d stay at any job for more than five, maybe 10 years, because I thought I would get bored. But here, my job at the College is constantly changing.”

Beverley graduated from Algonquin’s Horticulture Diploma Program in 1983 and went on to receive her degree in horticulture from Olds College, Alberta in 2002.

“I started college thinking I knew a lot about plants because I had plants in my house and loved them,” says Beverley. “And I walked out with the realization that there’s just so much information out there and you really have to learn and stay on top of it.”

Beverley has worked for Algonquin since 1984 when she was hired as a summer employee. Before returning to Algonquin as an employee, she worked as a plant inspector in federal government buildings for Public Works and in the greenhouses of the Governor General.

“Every day at Algonquin is different,” says Beverley. “I find that what I do is changing, evolving, and building.”

Beverley takes great pride in the work she does around the College, whether it is planting new trees or deciding on the colour scheme for next spring’s tulips. Through her position at Algonquin, she has the freedom to decide what the grounds of the College will look like throughout the year.

“I pretty much have creative freedom which is really nice,” says Beverley. “Every year we try something new and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I like taking something that is tired or neglected and giving it a face lift. It’s very rewarding.”

Until recently, Beverley taught part-time for Algonquin’s Horticulture Program, but due to her busy schedule she is unsure if she will teach in the future.

Although she misses the contact with students, Beverley is happy focusing her attention on the College’s green spaces.

“I just love being out there and getting my hands dirty,” says Beverley. 

Thanks to her expertise and vision, Algonquin’s Woodroffe Campus grounds continue to look their best.