Caring for Ornamental Plants

Learn the most current techniques for growing and managing ornamental plants on commercial and residential sites.

Main Content

Two women in a garden surrounded by small trees, potted plants, and a watering can

Course Status: Not Currently Scheduled

The next offering of this course is tentatively planned for December 2023. Please join our email list to be notified when registration opens!

Jump to: Overview | Instructor | Reviews | CE Credits | Contact Us | Related Courses | Join Email List

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Name: Caring for Ornamental Plants
Course Code: AL0409CA23
Date of Most Recent Offering: December 19, 2022

Date: TBD
Time: TBD am – TBD pm (Check-in time: TBD am)

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course

Registration Fee: $TBD per person
Early Bird Discount Fee: $TBD per person (expires TBD)

Registration Closes: TBD

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Landscape Management Certificate Program.

Horticulturist Bruce Neary shares his expertise concerning the care of ornamental plants. He’ll discuss the most modern methods of managing horticulture on commercial and residential sites. You’ll learn to put the right plant in the right place!

  • Proper Pruning Times and Techniques
  • Building Better Beds
  • Soil Testing
  • Soil Compaction
  • Giving Advice to Customers
  • And More!

Who Should Attend?

This class will be useful for anyone who wants to improve their horticultural skills regarding the care and maintenance of ornamental plants. Past participants have included:

  • Arborists
  • Garden Center Managers
  • Groundskeepers
  • Horticulture Technicians
  • Landscape Managers
  • Parks Maintenance Workers
  • Shade Tree Commission Members
  • Tree Workers

Meet Your Instructor

Bruce Neary, BCN Horticultural Services

Headshot of instuctor Bruce Neary

Bruce Neary is the owner of BCN Horticultural Services, where he has provided consulting services to landscape architects, contractors, developers, garden centers, nurseries, educators, and the public since 1994. Regarded as an industry expert, Bruce has written several articles for The Landscape Publication, Grounds Maintenance Magazine, and the American Nurseryman. Likewise, he has been a horticultural lecturer at Barlow Flower Farm and for other landscape organizations for over 30 years. Bruce is a member of the Pennsylvania and American Horticultural Societies, Metro Hort Group, and Perennial Plant Association. He received his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Rutgers University and his Masters of Agriculture in Horticultural Sciences from Texas A&M.

Student Reviews

Most useful part of the course: “Tons of picture examples with deep explanations.”

– Past Participant

On instructor Bruce Neary: “His exuberance is amazing. Very passionate about his craft. It is contagious. I learned a lot.”

– Past Participant

“Good, well-rounded overview of subject.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Caring for Ornamental Plants was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Caring for Ornamental Plants course is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 2 Technical, 2 Management, and 1.5 Government Contact Hours (DLGS Course #16161)

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 5.5 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 5.5 CEUs

World map icon International

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Certified Arborist: 6.5; BCMA – Management: 6.5

Meals

Place setting icon with napkin, plate, fork, and knifeNo breakfast will be provided. Box lunches will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Mask & Vaccination Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Registrants attending OCPE events are not currently required to wear face masks or provide proof of vaccination.

Rutgers Culture of Caring graphic stating masks welcome, test to know, recover at home

To continue to protect yourself and others:

  • Masks are welcome.
  • If you have symptoms, testing is encouraged.
  • If you feel unwell, please recover at home. Contact us to cancel your registration at 848-932-9271, option 2 or registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link will be provided in your course registration confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

x icon with circle around itCancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

American flag icon

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Caring for Ornamental Plants, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Joe Canzano

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Landscaper pruning a bush with pruning shears

Introduction to Pruning Techniques

Garden beds filled with colorful flowers

Beds and Borders

Hands gently pushing seedling into soil

Soil and Plant Relationships

white envelope icon with @ sign representing email

Join Our Email List!