Director's Note

The School of Professional Horticulture’s mission is to educate motivated individuals to become horticulturists of the highest caliber who will take on leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. One of the School’s many strengths is that it combines a strong academic curriculum with real-world experience gained by working alongside The New York Botanical Garden’s expert horticulture staff.

Professional horticulture is about utilizing art and science to beautify our surroundings so that others may enjoy and live a better life. Its very nature allows us to nurture and create an outdoor studio. The work also asks us to measure, research, and diagnose everything that a scientist conducts during fieldwork. The end result can be as spectacular as the Botanical Garden’s expansive grounds or as subtle as a single well-grown orchid.

At the School of Professional Horticulture, art and science form the very core of the program. Classe sizes are limited to 15 students per class to ensure that each student receives the appropriate amount of attention from staff and that teamwork is fostered. Students with diverse backgrounds yet shared interests and goals study, create, and refine their skills and knowledge. Within two years, they come to know the cultural needs of more than 1,000 plants and the common pests and diseases that accompany them, while working in state-of-the-art facilities and across our 250-acre landscape. Students learn about native plants, green roofs, sustainable practices in their coursework, during their horticulture rotations, and by attending special lectures and symposia sponsored by the Garden. Upon graduation, students leave knowing that they are well prepared to succeed in a wide variety of horticultural venues.

Charles M. Yurgalevitch, Ph.D., Director
The School of Professional Horticulture
718.817.8797

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