What is public horticulture?

Public horticulture is a profession; it is the art and science of cultivating plants in spaces for public use and enrichment. 

Places that practice public horticulture include:

• Public gardens
• Municipal parks and gardens
• Cemeteries
• Museums with public landscapes
• Nature centers
• Zoological parks

These public horticulture institutions communicate the varied benefits of plants and landscapes to the visiting public in diverse ways.  They strive to enhance the quality of life for the public through:

• Plant display
• Education and interpretation
• Conservation and research
• Outreach

What is the Center?

The Center will serve as a vital resource for public gardens and decision makers by providing public horticulture:

• Education and training
• Research
• Information

Mission 

The Center for Public Horticulture at the University of Delaware aspires to be a national leader in formal and professional education and research in the field of public horticulture.

Goals:

• To be an unbiased source of information for professionals, students, and decision makers
• To produce public horticulture professionals through innovative education programs for students of all ages and career stages
• To conduct, organize,and disseminate valuable research and information resources
• To coordinate partnerships among academic institutions, public gardens, and professional organizations