Our Nursery

Sarah spent more than 25 years in marketing and publishing until her love of gardening drove her to launch a landscaping business with her husband, Richard Sennott, and son, Dave Johnston, in 2004. Greenlife began with garden and lawn maintenance and quickly expanded to include horticulture, design and garden installation. In 2012, they added a wholesale nursery division for the landscape industry. She’s proud to run the company with family members along with knowledgeable, professional, awesome staff colleagues. There’s little spare time in the summer but she and her husband enjoy travelling south during the winter and spending time with their grandchildren.

A former co-owner of the Canadian Conservatory of Music (CCM) in Eastern Ontario, and Executive Director of the Ottawa District Hockey Association for 20 years, Richard’s considerable business expertise has contributed greatly to Greenlife’s success. He focuses his exceptional public relations skills on helping the nursery reach even greater heights. Richard is also a devoted hockey enthusiast; he’s been involved in the sport as a player, coach, Master Course Facilitator and administrator for the past 60 years.

A passionate outdoorsman, Dave got his start in landscaping in 2002 as a lawn crew member for a company in Ottawa’s east end. He joined forces with Greenlife president Sarah in 2004, helping to build the company into the success it is today. Now, as operations manager for both the nursery and landscaping divisions, Dave oversees daily procedures to ensure that everything runs smoothly and makes certain that plans for future requirements are actioned ready for operation. He also collaborates closely with Sarah, providing business support and advice when needed. His love of outdoors extends to managing his home acreage and watching and nurturing the various wildlife that roam the property.

An expert in her field, Julie brings two decades of experience in office management and customer service. She sharpened her skills in a range of workplaces including a nursing home and a cleaning company. But her love of the outdoors drove her to seek something else – the opportunity to serve others and oversee operations while keeping a close connection to nature. As a valued member of the Greenlife team, Julie is able to combine her love of people, community and the outdoors. After hours, she spends time enjoying her backyard oasis with her family and obsessing over the Ottawa Senators (but only during hockey season)

With over 20 years’ experience in the horticulture field, Josée excels in design, especially listening and interpreting client needs to provide the best plant strategies for your garden. She has worked with Greenlife Landscaping for more than 14 years doing installations, maintenance and custom designs after studying horticulture and floral design at Algonquin College. With in-depth botanical knowledge and experience, Josée and the landscape team work with you to turn your ideas into a sustainable and flourishing garden. When not working you can find Josée spending time with her grandchildren.

Her love of botany led her to horticulture – meet Dakota Fripp, our Nursery Manager and Horticultural Technician. Dakota holds an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology and Minor in Psychology from the University of Ottawa (2016), in 2018 she graduated from the Algonquin College Horticultural Industries program and 2021 a graduate of the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program. With many years of retail and customer service experience Dakota is always excited to learn. She currently has a growing interest in urban foraging and building edible gardens. In her spare time, Dakota enjoys volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa and spending time with her horses.

Kevin leads our landscape division as crew foreman. He is a 2016 graduate (with Honours) of the Algonquin College Horticultural Industries program and 2019 graduate of the Horticulture Technician Apprenticeship Program. He has many years of retail and customer service experience as well as industry experience in landscape construction, horticulture and maintenance. He has worked as a tree planter, bicycle messenger and as an apple orchard assistant. As a 3-time marathoner, Kevin is always on the go, training for the next event, exploring Gatineau Park or playing frisbee with family and friends. Kevin volunteers with Chelsea Nordiq ski club, the Ottawa Food Bank and the Ottawa Folk Festival in his spare time.

Taylor discovered her love of plants and gardening while working on her Aunt’s farm for many summers. After working for ten years in the retail sector and gaining excellent customer service skills, it was time for a change. She decided to pursue her passion for plants and enrolled in the Algonquin College Horticultural Industries Program, graduating with Honours in 2021. Her passion is now caring for plants both at home and in the nursery. When not working, you can find her relaxing with a hot cup of tea and a good book – preferably science fiction.

After more than 25 years in Social Services and Management, Debbie decided to pursue her love of gardening and the outdoors. She enrolled in the Horticulture entrepreneurship Program and Pre-Apprenticeship Horticulture Training Program. After graduation she commenced her Master Gardener training with the Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. Debbie is an avid golfer, reader, book collector and animal lover. She and her husband enjoy long walks with their two dogs and volunteering in the community.

Meet Lori, our nursery technician. A University of Ottawa alumni, with career experience in marketing and merchandising when she managed numerous retail sales territories in Ontario and Quebec. An avid gardener for years, her passion led her to the YMCA/YWCA Horticulture Entrepreneurship Program and Pre-Apprenticeship program and then to Greenlife.

Lori has been active in the ringette community as a player, a coach and an executive member for over thirty years. When not watching her two daughters play, she can be found at a pitch watching her son play rugby. She enjoys travel, walking her dog, Rosie and listening to a good story.

Megan is a graduate of the University of Guelph Equine Agriculture program where she studied plants, soil and environmental stewardship. She started volunteering with the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association when she was ten years old and has since dedicated her working career to horses. Her love of the outdoors has now led to a career change to learn horticulture and landscaping which, she hopes, will one day lead to designing ponds and aquascapes. In her spare time you can find her riding her horse, kayaking or caring for her collection of tropical fish and frogs