Academics

Horticulture & Landscape Design

Offered at: Larimer and Westminster

Horticulture and Landscape Design Courses

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts thousands of new horticulture and landscaping workers over the next eight years. And you can train for many of those jobs at FRCC.

A career in horticulture and landscape design could be just right for you.

Like working outdoors? Become an arborist.
Have a flair for design? Become a landscape designer.
Enjoy working with your hands? Landscape construction can be as challenging as it is fulfilling.
Have a technical interest? A greenhouse is more than a glass building – it’s a technological wonder.
Budding scientist? Start down the path to work in plant physiology, plant pathology, or entomology.
Have an entrepreneurial streak? Start your own business.

Horticulture and landscape design covers a wide array of jobs.

You might be interested in the commercial production, installation, and care of garden plants. Or you might be interested in landscape architecture, landscape design, landscape contracting, irrigation contracting, nursery and landscape management, greenhouse production (also called floriculture), or floral design. For a look at the width and breadth of job opportunities, go to this fun industry-wide career site.

Earn an A.A.S. degree in Horticulture while taking classes in these areas of interest:

Choose a two-semester certificate:

Floral Design – work in or own a floral business or work in the floral department of a store (Larimer only)
Horticulture – design your own certificate, based on your career goals
Irrigation Contracting and Management – be on the leading edge for water conservation (Westminster only)
Landscape Contracting Technician – build it with sustainability in mind
Landscape Design – use your computer and design skills
Landscape Maintenance Technician – work for a landscape maintenance company, either outdoors (tree care, for example) or indoors (plant health care company)
Nursery, Greenhouse, and Garden Center Management – work in or own your own retail or wholesale business
Turfgrass Management – golf courses and sports fields need you

Maybe you want to start with horticulture and landscape design courses at FRCC and then transfer to Colorado State University. You can do that. Talking with an advisor should be your first step.

The sign of quality

Our horticulture and landscape design courses are designed to meet the standards of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). PLANET is the leading international association in the industry, with more than 4,300 member firms. It is an association for lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interiorscapers. Your FRCC degree, therefore, makes you highly qualified.

Horticulture and landscape design salaries

	Entry	Middle	Experienced
Landscaper / Groundskeeper	$19,098/year	$24,744/year	$30,470/year
Tree Trimmer	$25,942/year	$31,278/year	$37,207/year
Landscape Foreman	$31,466/year	$43,189/year	$54,260/year
Nursery / Greenhouse Mgr.*	$48,662/year	$76,510/year	$85,721/year
Project Manager	$51,719/year	$80,208/year	$101,612/year