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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!
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Course Details
Course Name: Caring for Ornamental Plants
Course Code: AL0409CA23
Date of Most Recent Offering: December 19, 2022
Course Overview
This 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!
Featured Topics
- 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

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.
New 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
International
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Certified Arborist: 6.5; BCMA – Management: 6.5
Meals
No 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.
Attention U.S. Veterans

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

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.