Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens

The North Carolina Arboretum is a cherished community space that thrives on collaboration, education, and the beauty of nature. We are seeking a dedicated Horticulture Specialist for our Formal Gardens to help cultivate a welcoming environment where visitors can connect with the natural world. Our gardens are designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all, and we take pride in nurturing both plants and community spirit.

The primary purpose of the Horticulture Specialist, Formal Gardens position consists of the installation and maintenance of intensely planted horticultural demonstration areas through the 424+ acres of The North Carolina Arboretum property. Reporting to the Garden Crew Leader, this position is responsible for the many duties required for maintaining the beauty and health and developing the educational aspects of the Arboretum’s Landscapes.

The Gardner is responsible for the maintenance of and the safety within the Arboretum’s educational Core Garden Areas.

The hiring salary is between $37,500 and $39,996 and benefits will be offered through the State of North Carolina and University of North Carolina System. These benefits include 12 holidays per year and other paid time off, retirement and health contributions.

The North Carolina Arboretum gardens are home to one of the most valuable and educational plant collections in the state. Expertise in a wide range of horticultural techniques is required to ensure the health and vigor of this outstanding collection. Proper installation of all new herbaceous and woody plant materials is essential to the survival of species in the collection. This position is expected to be well versed in the most current standards for this pursuit.

Several tasks follow planting to ensure the survival of specimens added tot the collection. These tasks are as follows: choosing the correct mulch and applying it in the proper fashion, irrigating the collection and monitoring soil moisture, pruning both woody and herbaceous plants to ensure optimum health, growth and safety and applying fertilizer at the appropriate rate to promote optimum performance.

An extensive knowledge of a wide range of plants is required to address the needs of each distinct species. The control of invasive weeds and vines is also essential to the health of the collection. This position also addresses soil issues related to plant health care as follows: tilling, incorporating amendments, both organic and non-organic, adding nutrients, increasing drainage and stabilizing top soil.

Tasks performed on a set schedule to maintain the beauty and safety of the Arboretum are the responsibility of this position. A daily cleaning routine must be performed to remove unsightly debris and litter, trash cans and ash trays must be changed and kept tidy. All walkways must be kept clear of debris and in good order. The gardens will be checked on a daily basis to ensure the safety of our guests.

All hardscape must be kept in good order including seating, containers, benches trellises, gates, fences arbors, stone work and sculpture. Snow removal, leaf removal, and storm damage clean up are also within the realm of garden maintenance.

This position is entrusted with the task of protecting all plant material within the assigned garden from the damaging effects of pest and disease. The position will practice Integrated Pest Management as a means to control these pathogens. The plants housed in the assigned garden will be monitored on a set schedule in order to detect early signs of damage. This position must be capable of recognizing and interpreting damage symptoms and is expected to report their findings to the Garden Crew Leader.

The most environmentally responsible treatment will then be applied by this position. The position is expected to keep up to date records, identifying key plant and key plant pests within the assigned garden and treatments that are applied.

The significant increase in visitation in recent years has dramatically increased the interaction of the position with the general public. Increased contact with…