Native Plant Horticulture and Design Certificates are awarded on the basis of completion of courses offered by the New England Wild Flower Society as well as the performance of a specified number of hours of community service to the Society and its mission. Our aim is to provide students with the necessary tools for work in service of preserving and promoting the use of native plants in a wide array of projects. Requirements are listed below.

Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design

Requirements:

At least 6 of the required Core Courses

• Wildflowers of New England (choose 1 of 4 sections, in MA, VT, NH, or CT)
• New England Native Shrubs (choose 1 of 2 sections)
• Native Herbaceous Plants - Early Season
• and Native Herbaceous Plants - Late Season
• Native Woody Plant Materials
• Horticultural Techniques  (Fall/Winter 2010)
• Residential Landscape Design
• Plant Form and Function

At least 4 Electives of your choosing from many offered

• New Planting Techniques for Trees and Shrubs (choose 1 of 2 sections)
• Pruning Fundamentals
• Pollinator-Friendly Landscaping
• And many others!

5 Horticultural and Design Trips

15 hours of Native Plant Community Service

• Volunteer at Garden in the Woods
• Volunteer at Nasami Farm
• New England Wild Flower Society Ambassadors
• Local Project of Choice

Checklist of native plants for horticulture (in preparation)

Advanced Certificate in Native Plant Horticulture and Design

We also offer an Advanced Certificate program specifically tailored to meet the needs of students working in the professional arena or for those who wish to pursue further course work in their field of interest. This Certificate requires additional course work, and culminates in a Plant Community Service Leadership Project. Examples of past projects include publications, design and installation of community wildflower gardens, and research.

Requirements:

At least 3 of the required Core Courses

• Native Plant Materials for Professionals
• New England Plant Communities 
• Sustainable Landscape Design
• Ecological Landscaping Techniques
• Professional Design Seminars (at least two of various offered)

At least 4 Electives of your choosing

• Pruning Shrubs with the Pros
• Landscape Design for the Natural Garden
• Low-Maintenance Design with Native Plants
• And many others!

At least 4 Horticultural and Design Trips

25 hours of Community Service as part of the Plant Community Service Leadership Project

Advanced Checklist of native plants for horticulture (in preparation)