Two Year Professional Horticulture Program

What You’ll Do: 

• Be well-prepared with the skills and practical knowledge to enter the green industry workforce in a changing climate in industries, such as public horticulture, estate gardening, greenhouse production, or land conservation and stewardship
• Have strong plant identification knowledge and skills from a broad and ranging plant palette
• Be strong professionals entering the workforce with experience working in teams, with staff, volunteers, and guests, as well as possess basic skills in budgeting, public garden management, cross-cultural competency, hospitality, and software tools
• Have worked alongside and been mentored by Longwood Gardens horticulture staff and be able to demonstrate Longwood’s high standards and excellence

What You Gain:

• Work alongside and learn skills from our staff in such key areas as Conservatory, Production and Greenhouse Management, Outdoor Landscapes, and other key areas of the garden
• Increase your knowledge of plant ID, care, and cultivation through classes and work placements
• Develop skills across all areas, such as propagation, plant health, and soils
• Develop your professional network through a professional development allowance, attendance at conferences, and connecting with Longwood alumni
• Earn professional certificates such as the Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator license, aerial lift and forklift operator 

Integrated in the modules are experiential learning projects; the design and construction of a Student Exhibition Garden; production of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers on the student-run Red Lion Farm for Longwood’s 1906 Restaurant and local food bank; specialty plant sales for the public; opportunities for personalized learning; and a study abroad trip.

The program’s academic courses are taught at the collegiate level by Longwood staff and external faculty.  

Qualifications:

•Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent education

•Be at least 18 years of age at the time the program begins (January 2027)

•Have demonstrated one year of hands-on horticulture prior to the program beginning. This experience can be volunteer or paid experience.

•High degree of motivation, organization, attention to detail, and willingness to work independently

•Occasional weekend and holiday support is required 

•The ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, working from ladders and aerial lifts up to 30 feet, stooping, lifting at least 50 pounds, and operating small equipment with training

•U.S. based individuals with a valid driver’s license 

Application Requirements:

•Upload a CV or resume

•Upload a copy of any educational transcripts

•Provide two reference letters (one of which can speak to your hands-on experience in horticulture): All reference letters should be uploaded with your application. The letters should include the name, title, place of employment, address of employment, phone number, and email address of the person who wrote the recommendation.

•Upload essay responses for the following:     

Essay 1: What has inspired you to pursue a career in horticulture?

Essay 2: How will the Professional Horticulture program help you achieve your personal and professional goals

Benefits:

•Biweekly stipend: $1,280.00

•Medical insurance through Independence Administrators

•Free furnished housing on the grounds of Longwood Gardens with all utilities included except for cable. This is a taxable benefit

•Time off: 10 paid holidays per year, 96 hours of personal time off per year, and a two week-long break at the end of December

•Field trips, hands-on workshops, lectures, and conferences

•Complimentary tickets to Longwood Gardens for friends and family 

•50% discount at The Café and 25% discount in The Garden Shop

Longwood Gardens is committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the complexities and differences of all living things. We welcome and respect diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. Diversity creates a more beautiful world, sparks innovation, and unites us.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026