The Arboretum at Laurel Hill Horticulture Internship

Job Description

The horticulture internships provide an interactive educational opportunity for those aspiring towards a career in public gardens, arboreta, horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design and/or horticultural maintenance to work and learn in a dynamic, unique, and professional workplace and acquire experience in both horticulture best practices and Living Collections management. From the start of the season, interns will work with Laurel Hill’s arboretum staff to create individual learning objectives for the season that will result in an effective and meaningful overall experience.

The Horticulture Intern will work closely with the Arboretum Director and staff horticulturists on various aspects of horticulture and landscape stewardship. The majority of the time will be spent working with each horticulturist to learn the unique maintenance requirements, variety of plants and tasks that support each area’s design intent and overall quality of its display.

About Us

Laurel Hill East and West Cemeteries are two historic landscapes that, combined, form a 265-acre Arboretum. The Arboretum at Laurel Hill features a living collection of over 6,000 specimen trees and shrubs representing over 1,000 species and cultivated varieties as well as multiple distinct garden areas. Laurel Hill is committed to landscape stewardship that embraces its historic context while using modern sustainable best practices

Duties & Responsibilities

Tasks include assisting with layout, planting, watering, application of soil amendments, mulching, herbivory protection, grooming, editing of plantings, transplanting, weeding, project clean-up and overall observation of garden care needs.
The Horticulture Intern will also have the opportunity to work with the Arboretum Director on tasks related to the tree and shrub collections at Laurel Hill. This may include the identification, planting , installation, removal and care of woody plants, in addition to tasks related to the curation, inventory and assessment of the Arboretum’s Living Collection.
This internship is focused on hands-on learning. Interns will work directly with arboretum staff to learn from their experience and expertise, and will attend weekly staff meetings to learn about the ins and outs of arboretum management. After an introduction to annuals, perennials and shrubs, best stewardship practices, and basics of garden design, the intern will have the opportunity to take responsibility for a specific garden area at the Arboretum. The Horticulture Intern will also work with the Arboretum Director to develop an independent project to complete during their time at Laurel Hill. This may include a basic research project, a garden design project or anything related to general horticulture.

Education and Experience

Requirements include a valid driver’s license, a strong work ethic, the ability to work independently and as part of a team outdoors in various weather conditions, dependable transportation, the ability to lift 50 pounds, and a willingness to learn all aspects of horticulture, living collection management, and landscape stewardship. A bachelor’s degree in Arboriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Environmental Studies, or a related field, and/or equivalent work experience is preferred but not required.

Additional Information

The Horticulture Internships are seasonal, part-time positions paid at $15 an hour and requiring a commitment of 32 hours per week – exact start and end dates are flexible between May and October. Laurel Hill is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Instructions

To apply, send résumé and cover letter to Arboretum Director Aaron Greenberg at agreenberg@laurelhillphl.com.