Horticulture

Horticulturists are experts on growing and cultivating plants, shrubs and trees.

They understand how to create and manage all kinds of green spaces - including parks, gardens, nature reserves, sports facilities and roadside plantings - and they sometimes manage the teams of people who maintain open space.

Case study: Valerie Selby

"I can spend all day walking through parks, woodland and football pitches - and call it work!"

"I've always liked being outside, in touch with nature. I had no idea about the careers in horticulture but once I looked into it I realised there were loads of opportunities for managing people and projects in parks, gardens and other outdoor spaces.

I'm a principal parks officer with responsibility for biodiversity. I take care of species and habitats in more than 60 parks and wildlife sites, from large urban commons to tiny roadside spaces. I also oversee strategy and management plans for the parks, making sure we have the right resources and are providing the services that communities need. Horticulture is about building long-term relationships - with people in all sorts of sectors and with the sites you work in.

It's really rewarding. You can have a positive influence on the local landscape and give people experiences they really enjoy."

Facts and figures

Typical salary

Starting out - £14,000; after five years - around £25,000.

Qualifications

Varied. GCSEs and A-levels in biology and geography are helpful, as is practical experience. Courses range from one-year to three-year certificates and diplomas, or three-year and four-year degrees.

Related careers

  • green space manager
  • commercial horticulturalist
  • amenity horticulturalist
  • sportsturf manager
  • landscape gardener
  • garden designer
  • landscape designer
  • head gardener
  • plantsman
  • arboriculturist
  • garden maintenance
  • heritage gardener
  • garden centre manager
  • plant adviser

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