Rose and Flower Garden Internship
Description
The Rose and Flower Garden Intern assists the Rosarian in garden development, management, and care of the collections. Specialty gardens include: formal rose garden with rock wall, cottage, hardy fern, herb, hosta, and meadow gardens, mixed border, and crabapple orchard. The intern has the opportunity to refine horticulture skills including techniques in formal garden maintenance. Upon completion, the Rose and Flower Garden Intern will have mastered the skills utilized in the culture of modern and antique roses and their garden companions. This position is supported by Charles S. Holman.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Rose care including pruning, deadheading, and fertilizing roses
- Plant and fertilize annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees
- Assist in propagation by divisions, cuttings, and seeds
- Prune and care for shrubs and trees
- Transplant trees using the ball and burlap method
- Spraying as part of the Arboretum's IPM program
- Identify and remove weeds from existing beds
- Learn proper techniques for mulching, mowing, edging, string trimming, and turf care
- Take part in watering plants and containers on a daily basis, as well as on a rotating weekend schedule
- Learn to ID plants in section, how to care for them, and stories about their collection, etc.
- Become proficient in the use of the golf cart, lawnmower, weed eater, leaf blower, turf aerator, drill seeder, rototiller, snow blower, sprayer, and front-end loader
- Help out with seasonal activities, such as assembling holiday wreaths
- Assist with supervision of seasonal staff and volunteers.
- Participate in the Horticulture Department's project days once a month
- Help with snow removal
- Complete an independent study project under the direction of your supervisor
- Work at two weekend Arboretum events - Fall Festival and Plant Sale
- Work one afternoon in the Arboretum's Plant Clinic per week
- Participate in intern activities and field trips as scheduled
- Learn to follow proper safety practices
- Perform additional duties as requested
Professional Development
The Rose and Flower Garden Intern is encouraged to attend workshops/classes/conferences that they find of interest and that will further their development in the horticulture world. Listed below are required items for this internship:
Attend Woody Plant Conference in July at Swarthmore College
Attend Perennial Plant Conference in October at Swarthmore College
Attend Philadelphia Rose Society meetings and help set up for the Rose Show in June
Qualifications/Requirements
- A strong academic background in horticulture or closely related field with course work or a very strong interest in herbaceous and woody landscape plants
- Be able and willing to communicate with Arboretum visitors
- Be able and willing to work independently and as part of a team
- Be able and willing to work in all weather conditions
- Be able and willing to lift at least 25 lbs.
- A valid driver's license is required
Work Environment
The Rose and Flower Garden Intern spends about 4 days a week working outdoors in the rose garden section. This provides a great opportunity for hands-on training in an array of specialty gardens. In addition, the intern experiences what is involved in managing a public garden through the course of a full year.
Past Project Topics
- Integrating Perennials and Annuals into the Morris Arboretum Rose Garden
- Improving the Rock Wall at the Morris Arboretum
- Redesigning the Sunny Flower Garden into a Cultivated Meadow Habitat
- Redesigning the Cottage Garden at the Morris Arboretum
|
