A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Ornamental Horticulturists grow and market flowers and other related crops for commercial purposes. They also plant and maintain perennials, annuals, ground covers, shrubs, and trees in parks, gardens, playgrounds and other special areas. They also landscape public and private areas.  

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION  

Ornamental Horticulturists may:

Determine the best methods for planting, cultivating, and harvesting plants  

Prepare the soil for planting  

Plant seeds, bulbs, or cuttings  

Cultivate plants by transplanting, watering, weeding, spraying, and fertilizing them  

Harvest cut flowers by hand and prepare them for shipping  

Propagate flowers, plants, shrubs, and trees  

Ornamental Horticulturists employed by landscaping firms may assist in planning and preparing cost estimates and bids for landscape projects.  

They may also install plants and care for the plants after installation, including pruning, fertilizing, record keeping, and controlling pests and disease.  

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

Ornamental Horticulturists may specialize in these areas:

040.061-038 ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURISTS grow and market flowers and other related crops for commercial purposes. They also care for ground cover and trees in parks, playgrounds, and other special areas, and they landscape public and private areas.  

040.061-038 FLORICULTURISTS work in the production, arrangement, and sale of cut flowers and flowering plants. Their duties may include floral design and shop management.  

040.061-038 ARBORICULTURISTS deal with the culture and maintenance of trees. They maintain large woody plants used for decorative or environmental purposes such as providing shade or screening. Other activities may include pest and disease control, takedowns, and major pruning.  

040.061-038 RESEARCH ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURISTS specialize in research in relation to ornamental plants. They investigate methods of improving plants and originating new varieties through laboratory and field experimentation. They also look for more efficient and less costly ways of growing plants. Some conduct research in specific areas, such as pesticides, growth regulators, or plant nutrition.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Ornamental Horticulturists may work alone in a retail shop or greenhouse, or as a member of a team in garden maintenance or the production/landscape field. Depending on the level of responsibility, they may work under the direction of an owner or manager or may supervise other technicians.  

Working conditions vary with the particular occupational specialty. Floriculturists usually work in greenhouses, flower shops, and garden centers. Arboriculturists spend a good deal of time outdoors and occasionally must work under bad weather conditions. Whether working indoors or outdoors, Ornamental Horticulturists are surrounded by the beauty and healthy influence of growing plants and a pleasant aroma.  

Ornamental Horticulturists generally work a 40-hour week; however, during spring and fall seasons they may work 50 to 60 hours a week. During winter months, especially January and February, work hours may be greatly reduced or workers may be laid off. Those who work in parks and retail stores are often required to work weekends and evenings.  

Some Ornamental Horticulturists may belong to professional associations such as the Michigan Association of Nurserymen, the American Society for Horticultural Science, or the Society of American Florists. Those who belong to associations must usually pay periodic membership fees.  

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with seeds and plants  

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature  

• Activities which provide satisfaction from the results of your work  

You Should Be Able To:

• Use logical step-by-step procedures in your work  

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately  

• Know the meanings/relationships of words and use language effectively  

• Rate information/make decisions based on measurable/verifiable data  

• Plan and coordinate an entire project or the activities of others  

• Work within precise limits and standards of accuracy  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

During the past 20 days it rained 4 days. Using this probability distribution, what percent change is there for rain tomorrow?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Unwanted ingredients of the air are those particulate matter and gases that human activity has added to the lower levels.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the progress of a certain plant.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a plant that is not healthy and decide how to better it's health.  

Those interested in research or college and university teaching are required to have advanced degrees in horticulture.  

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: A Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School); an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , /careers/0,1607,7-170-22526_23422-64454--,00.html0 ART , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

079 HORTICULTURE

Programs in Horticulture provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment related to improving fruit and vegetable crops as well as beautifying communities, homes, parks, and other areas with landscape plants and flowers. Horticulturists find employment in such careers as supervising crop production for canning and freezing companies and managing garden centers or landscape services. Individuals who teach Horticulture at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Many landscape contractors, garden centers, nurseries, flower shops, and public agencies hire summer and part-time employees. Summer employment is also available in government-sponsored programs. Work experience with horticultural businesses is helpful in obtaining future employment. Participating in 4-H Clubs, joining garden clubs, visiting local shops, and attending botanical shows provide opportunities for experience and observation. Experience can also be gained through postsecondary programs in horticulture.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Ornamental Horticulturist employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Ornamental Horticulturist employer  

community service work with an agency  

To obtain a job as an Ornamental Horticulturist, apply directly to employers such as landscape contractors, garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, florists, and government agencies. Those wishing to work for government agencies may have to take and pass a civil service exam. High school and college placement offices may assist in finding a job. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:    

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank  

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Ornamental Horticulturists vary with the geographic location, level of responsibility, area of specialization, and individual experience and ability. Earnings of those who grow ornamental plants vary with the amount grown and sold and the prevailing market prices.  

Ornamental Horticulturists employed by the federal government in 2000 had beginning annual salaries of:  

Floriculturists working for the City of Detroit earned between $26,520 and $30,014 per year (1999). Supervisors earned from $38,200 to $41,000.  

The 1999 graduates of a horticulture program at a large Michigan university had average annual salary offers of $24,500 with a bachelor's degree.  

Although benefits vary among employers, they generally include hospitalization, insurance coverage (particularly for Arboriculturists), retirement benefits, and educational assistance.  

Most of the job opportunities and chances for advancement are open to college graduates, because the skills required in modern horticulture are becoming more complex. With additional study, experience, and investment capital, Ornamental Horticulturists may open their own businesses.  

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

During 1996-97 there were 1,090 bachelor degrees in horticultural management, operations and horticultural science and 1,088 associate degrees in horticultural studies granted by post-secondary institutions.  

The services of and products developed by Ornamental Horticulturists are needed in almost every segment of society today. The public wants to know when, where, and what to plant as well as how to preserve and improve the natural environment. Special interest groups, such as rose and improve fruit societies, and other horticultural groups, need expert guidance. There will also be opportunities for Horticulturists within chemical companies, scientific laboratories, and cooperative extension service offices.  

Ornamental Horticulturists employed in Michigan work in a variety of settings. Most are involved in growing ornamental plants at nurseries, greenhouses or on their own land. Others work in garden centers, for florists for landscape contractors or landscape maintenance firms and in federal, state and local parks, forests and recreational facilities.  

Major ornamental plant products of Michigan include bedding plants, potted plants, and flowering plants such as chrysanthemums, poinsettias, geraniums and lilies. Michigan is also a major producer of wood ornamental plants, fruit trees, and young seedlings for reforestation and Christmas tree plantations.  

Employment opportunities for Ornamental Horticulturists in Michigan should be good through the year 2006. Some of the openings will be due to growth in the occupation. Most openings, however, will be due to replacement of those who retire, die, change jobs or occupations, or leave the labor force.  

A growing and more affluent population, movement to the suburbs, and home gardening have increased the demand for well-grown ornamental plants. In addition, commercial establishments provide landscaped areas around buildings; highway systems use more shrubs and trees; and community enthusiasm for parks and playgrounds contribute to the need for people trained in this field. Ornamental Horticulture is an important part of urban beauty and city planners are very aware of its value for the communities in which they work.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2006

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

SUMMARY PROFILE  

The occupation of Ornamental Horticulturist can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development