Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants

New course topics have been added! Additional courses will be added yearly!

Longwood offers two separate certificate series. Complete 10 courses and pass the optional exams to earn a certificate. Each course provides an in-depth study of a specific group of landscape plants. Each course offers an individual certificate, and upon successful completion of ten of the ornamental plant courses in either Series I or Series II, Longwood will honor you at a graduation ceremony where you will be awarded the corresponding Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants.

Many graduates list the Longwood Certificates of Merit on their resumes, where they are recognized by employers as a known level of achievement. Certificate course fees include a detailed course manual, classroom sessions with a highly-qualified lead instructor, and guided plant walks conducted by knowledgeable horticulturists. Each course fee also entitles you to free admission into Longwood Gardens for the duration of the course, where you can begin your immersion into the Longwood learning environment.

A variety of courses are offered in each series on a rotating basis. Courses may be taken in any order within a series. Courses are not interchangeable between Series I and Series II.

Series I

Annuals I
Botany I
Botany II
Broad-Leaved Evergreens
Conifers
Deciduous Flowering Shrubs I
Deciduous Trees
Groundcovers
Perennials I
Small Flowering Trees

Series II

Annuals II
Botany III
Botany IV
Deciduous Flowering Shrubs II
Edible Plants – NEW OFFERING
Evergreens II
Hardy Spring & Fall Bulbs
Ornamental Vines
Native Plants – NEW OFFERING in 2010
Shade Perennials
Sun Perennials
Trees II
Choose 10 to earn the Series II Certificate

NEW FOR 2009 – CERTIFICATE OF MERIT COURSE BOOKS IN COLOR!!

Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants SERIES I & II ONLY – Registration Late Fee ($20) – Closing date is one week (7 days) prior to the start of class. Any registrations received after that date will be charged the late fee.

Series I Certificate Courses:

Series I courses are aimed at teaching students some of the most popular, commonly used, and never-fail plants, as well as some underused favorites, all of which are hardy in the Mid-Atlantic region. Two botany courses are taught in Series I to provide the scientific background necessary for successful gardeners. The plant material courses are divided into broad categories based on plant type.  Identification characteristics, pest and disease problems, cultural requirements, ornamental characteristics, and creative uses for each plant are covered in detail. Weekly course lectures (unless otherwise noted) are supplemented with guided plant walks through Longwood Gardens. Each course covers 60 or more plants and a combined total of over 500 plants are taught in the Series I Certificate Program.

Conifers

DATE: Thursdays, January 29–March 5 (6 Sessions); 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPCNA

or

DATE: Thursdays, January 29–March 5 (6 Sessions); 6:30 to 8:30 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPCNE

with Richard Bitner

The world of evergreen and deciduous conifer plants, ranging from shrubby dwarfs to towering trees will be explored in this course. The plants are arranged by family, including Pinaceae (Pines, Spruce, and Firs), Cupressacease (Arborvitae, Cypress, and Juniper), Taxaceae (Yews), and others, to foster knowledge of specific identification characteristics. This course will focus on the major coniferous genera highlighting identification, growth patterns, and landscape use. Evergreen and deciduous conifers for the larger landscape and dwarf/slow-growing cultivars for smaller gardens in every coniferous genus will be plentifully illustrated.

Optional exam: March 12; Inclement weather date: March 19
Guided plant walks: Saturday, February 14, 9:00 am–Noon; Saturday, February 28, 9:00 am–Noon; Thursday, February 19, 9:00 am–Noon; Thursday, March 5; 9:00 am–Noon

Broad-Leaved Evergreens

DATE: Wednesdays, March 11 – April 22, 6 Sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPBLA

or

DATE: Wednesdays, March 11 – April 22, 6 Sessions; 6:30 to 8:30 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPBLE

with Anthony Aiello

Evergreens are an essential part of any landscape, providing a structural element and monochromatic background. Outstanding foliage, showy flowers, brilliant fruit, and interesting textural contrasts make broad-leaved evergreens a superior group of plants for year-round garden interest. This course will focus on the identification, culture, and landscape use of several broad-leaved evergreens suitable for use in the garden.

Please note: No class April 8
Optional exam: April 29
Guided plant walks: Wednesday, April 1 9:00 am-Noon, April 22 9:00 am-Noon; Saturday, March 28 9:00 am-Noon, April 18 9:00 am-Noon

Deciduous Flowering Shrubs I

DATE: Thursdays, May 21 – June 25, 6 Sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPDFA

or

DATE: Thursdays, May 21 – June 25, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091OPDFE

with Eva Monheim

Discover some of the most outstanding shrubs for the home landscape and discuss the aesthetic qualities, identification techniques, cultural practices, and landscape uses of many ornamental shrubs. This course will cover shrubs that are tried and true classics, the most popular flowering shrubs, as well as some new cultivars and less commonly known species that are all reliably hardy in this area.

Optional exam: July 2
Guided plant walks: Thursday, June 11 9:00 am-Noon, June 25 9:00 am-Noon; Saturday, June 6 9:00 am-Noon, June 27 9:00 am-Noon

Enrolled Students:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Perennials I

DATE: Thursdays, August 27 –Oct 1, 6 Sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPP1A

or

DATE: Thursdays, August 27 –Oct 1, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPP1E

with Beverly Fitts

Perennials are among the showiest and most widely used group of plants in the garden. The diversity of bloom time, flower color and seasonal interest make these plants one of the most extensive and varied groups that continually challenge plant enthusiasts to learn more. This course introduces the identification characteristics, cultural requirements, and garden uses of some of the most common perennial plants that are reliably hardy in this area.

Optional exam: Oct 8
Guided plant walks: Thursday, September 17 9:00 am-Noon, October 1 9:00 am-Noon; Saturday, September 12 1:00-4:00 pm, October 3 9:00 am-Noon

Groundcovers

DATE: Tuesdays, August 25 –Sept 29, 6 Sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPGCA

or

DATE: Tuesdays, August 25 –September 29, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPGCE

with Dan Benarcik

Home gardeners and professionals alike are constantly in search of alternatives to acres of lawn and beds of ivy or pachysandra. This course on groundcovers, recognized as one of the most extensive on the subject, is designed to introduce new groundcovers and explore this new way to use some of your favorite shrubs and perennials. This course will focus on the identification, culture, and landscape use of several reliably hardy ornamental plants that can be used as groundcovers.

Optional exam: October 6
Guided plant walks: Tuesday, September 15 9:00 am-Noon; September 29 9:00 am-Noon; Saturday, September 12 9:00 am-Noon; September 26 9:00 am-Noon

Botany II

DATE: Mondays, October 5 –November 9, 6 sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $149 passholder; $159 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPB2A

or

DATE: Mondays, October 5 – November 9, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $149 passholder; $159 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092OPB2E

with Jeff Jabco

Knowledge of the chemistry behind plant physiology greatly contributes to gardening and growing healthy plants, as well as enhances the appreciation of the complexities of the plant world. This course explores physiological processes of plants such as photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormones, and response to stimuli in the environment. It also introduces the intricacies of soil chemistry, plant nutrition, and fertilization. In an indoor laboratory session, students will observe demonstrations of soil structure and drainage, learn how to read soil tests, and observe the effects of photosynthesis and hormones.

Optional exam: Nov. 16
No plant walks

Series II Certificate Courses:

The plant material courses and botany courses in Series II are intended to expand on the knowledge taught in the Series I courses, although it is not necessary to complete all courses in Series I before starting courses in Series II. You will be introduced to new or nontraditional garden plants, many of which are not commonly found in the landscape, are new cultivars of old favorites, or are ideal plants for specific cultural situations, such as shady, wet, or dry areas. Identification characteristics, pest and disease problems, cultural requirements, ornamental characteristics, and creative uses for each plant are covered in detail. Weekly course lectures (unless otherwise noted) are supplemented with guided plant walks. Each course covers 60 or more plants and a combined total of over 500 new plants are taught in the Series II courses.

Hardy Spring & Fall Bulbs

DATE: Mondays, March 2–April 13 (6 Sessions); 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091EPHBA

or

DATE: Mondays, March 2–April 13 (6 Sessions); 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 091EPHBE

with Charles Cresson

Hardy bulbs are impressive landscape elements, especially in spring; but they can also abundantly enhance the autumn garden. Most can be permanently naturalized when well situated, and many are unrivaled flower garden highlights when planted among favorite annuals and perennials. This course will explore culture, habitat, landscape use, and ID characteristics of a multitude of bulbs, corms, and rhizomes and how to combine them with other plants.

Please note: No class on March 23; Optional exam: April 20; Inclement weather date: March 23
Guided plant walks: Monday, March 30, 9:00 am–Noon; Monday, April 13, 9:00 am–Noon; Saturday, March 21, 9:00 am–Noon, Saturday, April 4, 9:00 am–Noon

Study Guides for students enrolled in Hardy Spring and Fall Bulbs

• Course Study Guide
• Study Guide Tulips
• Study Guide Daffodil
  

Edible Plants

DATE: Wednesdays, August 12 –September 16, 6 Sessions; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092EPEPA

or

DATE: Wednesdays, August 12 –September 16, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092EPEPE

with Pandora Young

Taking a different approach to a garden allows plant palates to expand in a number of directions. Ornamental plants have multiple definitions and uses, and a multipurposed approach follows emerging lifestyles. Planting “edible ornamental plants” is a practical way to look at the garden. A mixed bed can take the garden into the kitchen from spring to fall. This course will concentrate on identification, culture, landscape use, and culinary use by concentrating on planting combinations of safe edible species and cultivars that are suitable for growing in the garden or containers.

Optional exam: September 23
Guided plant walks: Wednesday, September 2 9:00 am-Noon; September 16 9:00 am-Noon; Saturday, August 29 9:00 am-Noon; September 19 9:00 am-Noon

Evergreens II

DATE: Wednesdays, October 7 –November 11, 6 Sessions; 9:00 to 11:00 am
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092EPEVA

or

DATE: Wednesdays, October 7 –November 11, 6 Sessions; 7:00 to 9:00 pm
FEE: $169 passholder; $179 non-passholder
WHERE: Visitor Center Auditorium
CODE: 092EPEVE

with John Frett

After one learns to distinguish spruces from firs and hollies from boxwoods, it is time to learn more evergreen plant species to be used as structural elements, screens, backdrops, or specimen plants. This course, designed to complement the Series I Conifers and Broad-Leaved Evergreens courses, will introduce a wider diversity of suitable evergreen plants for use in landscapes in our area. This course will explore identification, culture, and landscape use of some less common conifers and broad-leaved evergreens.

Optional exam: November 18
Guided plant walks: Wednesday, October 21 1:00-4:00 pm; November 4 1:00-4:00 pm; Saturday, October 24 9:00 am-Noon; November 7 9:00 am-Noon

Certificate of Merit Graduation

The accomplishment and satisfaction of completing the courses necessary for the awarding of the Certificates of Merit in Ornamental Plants, Floral Design, or Landscape Design will be celebrated yearly. We will host the graduates at a celebration on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Eligible candidates will receive detailed information and an invitation in advance. To check on your eligibility for certificate completion, call 610-388-1000 Ext. 559.