Debbie Hughes, Senior Horticulturist

Debbie Hughes has been planting gardens in Florida for over 10 years.  She particularly enjoys working with plants that enrich our daily lives such as tropical fruit trees and herbs that serve our culinary needs, foliage flowers for use in floral designing, as well as nectar and host plants for our Florida butterflies.

At the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Debbie has propagated many of the historic plants that are for sale in the Garden Shoppe and has established the Mina Edison Rose Garden.  She has taught and continues to teach classes on butterfly gardening, herb gardening and moonlight gardens, as well as orchid care and several other relevant topics.  Debbie has taught classes at garden clubs, extension services, public libraries, and now at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates using plants from the Estates’ landscapes.

Debbie Hughes has provided commentary on The Garden Show on Sunday Morning Radio and was a weekly garden columnist for the News -Press.

Todd Roy, Horticulturist & Garden Shoppe Manager

Todd Roy attributes his interest in horticulture to being raised in an agricultural and self-sustaining environment in the mid-west.  After moving to Florida in 2004, he eventually found himself working in the tropical gardens of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  He has since completed the Master Gardener program and enjoys working with plants, taking with others in the industry, and sharing his knowledge with the public.

Todd’s passion for organic gardening, sustainability, and edible landscapes contributes to the diverse gardens at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  Most days, Todd can be found in the Victory Garden experimenting with vegetables or sunflowers or answering gardening questions in the Edison Ford Garden Shoppe.

Edison Ford Garden Volunteers

A non-profit such as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates could not survive without the dedication of our volunteers.  Dozens of volunteers are responsible for helping Debbie and Todd maintain the 25+ acres of tropical historic landscape.  Volunteers are always needed, no matter your level of experience.  For more information about volunteering at the Edison Ford, visit our website at http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/get-involved/volunteer/.