October 24: Joe & Hazel Cook “What’s the Buzz? Bee Amazed”

Joe and Hazel Cook with their daughter Amy have operated a family owned business, Blossom Hill Nursery since 1994, specializing in the hybridization and propagation of British Delphinium elatum.

A second passion has resulted in an extensive peony collection of over 600 varieties including species, tree, herbaceous and intersectional peonies. The Cooks are propagating the peonies, including grafting 100 varieties of tree peonies.

Blossom Hill is located just north of Peterborough in Selwyn Township and has perennial display gardens as well as 6000 peonies and trial beds in the field for over 1000 delphiniums. Blossom Hill delphiniums and peonies have won awards in both Canada and the United States.Hazel is a director and the corresponding secretary of the American Peony Society.

Their interest in horticulture and nature has led to the third passion of bee keeping. This presentation will include some interesting facts about honey bees; their habits, hives and care but will also reveal some humorous stories of the Cooks’ adventures as they have expanded their experiences and hives from 3 to 60, queen-rearing by grafting and generally become obsessed with another hobby.

The Cooks are definitely busy bees!