B.S. Degree in Environmental Horticulture

The program offers four concentrations:

  • Horticultural Business which allows further preparation for entrepreneurial career avenues within the field of horticulture. Students enrolled in this concentration have an opportunity to receive a minor in Business Administration and may elect to continue an extra year to complete a Master’s in Business Administration.
  • Landscape Design which combines design skills and plant science knowledge into one curriculum.
  • Sustainable Horticulture which provides an opportunity for further exploration in areas of plant physiology, nutrition, taxonomy and propagation.
  • Turfgrass Management which allows further preparation for a turf-related career within the field of horticulture.  Students completing this concentration will receive a well-rounded background in turf and ultimately two degrees; a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture with a concentration in Turfgrass Management (UMaine) and an A.S. in Turfgrass Management (UMass).

The B.S. degree in Environmental Horticulture explores the applied science of managing ornamental plants in public or estate gardens, residential landscapes, or greenhouses and nurseries. The program offers students the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in

  • landscape design
  • landscape management
  • sustainable plant production and maintenance
  • greenhouse management
  • plant and soil sciences
  • business management
  • other related fields

Program Goals and Learning Outcomes

Program Goals:

1. Students completing the program in Environmental Horticulture will demonstrate strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills appropriate for an entry-level professional in the industry.

2. Students completing the program will be able to apply basic knowledge and skills in the field of environmental horticulture to practical, real-world settings as appropriate for an entry-level professional in the industry.

3. Students will be successful in obtaining jobs in the field and in acceptance to graduate programs.

Program Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of the program students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate scholarly writing by summarizing scientific literature, formulating individual ideas, and presenting written information clearly.
  • Prepare and give well-organized presentations, supported by relevant technical information.

Student Learning Outcomes:

After successful completion of the program students will be able to:

  • Diagnose plant diseases using a microscope.
  • Make decisions regarding plant production in greenhouses using environmental, nutritional, and scouting data.
  • Identify herbaceous plants, using scientific and common names.
  • Choose and describe appropriate shade tree species for use in the landscape based on the function and characteristics of the site.
  • Make pruning cuts on trees and shrubs, explain why cuts are made, and anticipate plant responses to pruning.
  • Use measurements from scaled drawings to calculate slope gradients and calculate quantities of cut/fill materials. (Landscape Design concentration)

The Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden & The Roger Clapp Greenhouses, the University of
Maine’s horticultural research facilities, are located on the University of Maine campus.

For more information contact:   Charlene Gray (207.581.2948, charlene.gray@maine.edu).

Offer an internship opportunity to UMaine Environmental Horticulture students.

Apply to UMaine.

Associated Faculty