Meet Leslie Hockley | Lead Horticulturist, Toronto Botanical Garden

In this Community Spotlight, we meet Leslie Hockley, Lead Horticulturist at Toronto Botanical Garden. Her journey into horticulture didn’t begin with a lifelong plan, but with a single summer job that quietly changed everything. 

From early influences in family gardens to experiences at leading institutions, Leslie’s story is a reminder that there’s no single entry point into this field. Today, her work brings plant records to life for visitors  Leslie's path reflects something many in this community know well: horticulture is about discovery, adaptability, and finding meaning in the unexpected.

When did you know you wanted a career in horticulture?
I sort of stumbled into it one summer. I had been working my way through different art degrees and felt like I was at an impasse. Then, I landed a summer position as a Greenspace Attendant for my hometown Parks Department. Gardening was something people I knew enjoyed, but I had always been more of an observer, taking photos, drawing, or hiking.

I really caught the ‘gardening bug’ on that job and I switched careers before the end of the summer. It’s been over 10 years since, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What plant, place, or experience first sparked your interest in plants?
There isn't one thing or moment in time that sparked my interest. It was more like an accumulation of things over time. I remember in my early teens not really having an interest in gardening. Still, I would borrow my dad’s camera and take these terrible photos of the flowers in our backyard, irises, daffodils, spiraeas… Or visiting my grandma who had a very sizeable vegetable garden in her backyard. She would store most of the produce in her cold cellar. Just rows and rows of canned peaches, baskets of potatoes, etc.

Did you have a mentor who influenced your path in botany or horticulture?
I have met many wonderful public gardens and plant recorders in the industry who have influenced me in different ways. They have each instilled in me a new spark or appreciation for horticulture. I have spent time at several amazing gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens Ontario, Denver Botanic Gardens, and the University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens in British Columbia have each helped me on my career path.

What’s a recent project you’re especially proud of?
We secured funding to increase our Ornamental Horticulture presence which helped fund a Whats in Bloom cart This showcases what’s seasonally interesting in the garden and where to find it. 

The funding also allowed us to purchase IrisBG's Web Explorer add-on module. We also set up an ipad kiosk so that guests can peruse the new search function as soon as they enter our Visitor’s Centre.This project is such a leap forward.  The Web Explorer station allows our visitors and the other staff to see and understand the plant records in a tangible way. Which IrisBG report or feature do you find most useful?
There are so many. I have worked with another plant records database, but the look and various features of IrisBG are great. I am currently exploring every nook and cranny of Web Explorer!

Is there a skill you’re currently learning or hoping to develop next?
I didn’t realize how skilled with a computer I was going to need to be in horticulture. Sure, using a database is one thing, but all the coding I’ve done for label making or mapping in GIS. These are all skills most horticulture schools don’t touch on. Coding and mapping in GIS are skills that I will continually work on.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
The horticulture industry is so vast. You cannot really know where you might end up or what bit of information will come in handy. Don’t be afraid of learning new things and making new connections.