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Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate of Merit Program

Current Courses

Ardent home gardeners and professional horticulturists alike are always seeking to expand their knowledge of plant materials. This continued learning is especially important as the variety of plants used in the landscape continues to increase. In the Ornamental Plant Materials Program, you can develop or expand your knowledge of ornamentals well-suited for the Midwest, and northeastern Illinois in particular. The program includes more than 500 plants, focusing on their identification, cultural requirements and use in the landscape.

The nine core courses provide a solid, comprehensive plant palette together with the basic botanic knowledge essential for identifying plants and understanding their performance in the garden. You also have the opportunity to tailor the program to your interests and needs through the selection of elective courses covering a wide range of specialty topics. Seasoned instructors who are recognized plant experts teach all courses.

You can participate in any of the core or elective courses even though you do not intend to pursue the certificate. But be warned – taking these courses can be addictive!

Program Design
Nine core courses and 24 contact hours of elective courses are required. The core courses are offered over a two-year period, primarily during the evening and on weekends. If you are able to take all the courses when offered, you can complete the certificate in just two years.

Each plant materials core course includes six two-hour slide-illustrated lecture and six two-hour guided garden walks in the Garden’s extensive plant collections. Thorough course handouts are provided at no extra cost. For those pursuing the certificate, an exam is scheduled at the end of each course.

A variety of elective courses are offered throughout the year and average one per month. These short courses, typically two to four hours long, fit nicely between the core courses and in your calendar. There typically is no testing associated with elective courses, but participation is required.

Courses may be taken in any order, and no prior horticulture experience is required. It is recommended that Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy be taken at the first opportunity, and that you complete several core courses before you begin to take electives.

All requirements for the certificate must be completed within five years of the start date of your first Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate core course in the program. To obtain the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course.

Transfer credit and proficiency exams are options available to participants with existing knowledge of plant groups. These options recognize your achievements and allow you to make the most of your time while pursuing the certificate.

There is no separate enrollment for the program. Just take your first course and you are on your way. To register for courses, please call (847) 835-8261 and press 1 after the greeting or register online.

Program Content Core Courses
Annuals and Biennials —June 2003 Herbaceous Perennials — August 2003 Conifers and Broad-Leaved Evergreens — October 2003 Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy —October 2003, January 2005	Hardy Bulbs —Spring 2004 Small Flowering Trees —Spring 2004 Ground Covers and Vines —Summer 2004 Deciduous Trees —Fall 2004 Deciduous Flowering Shrubs —April 2005

Elective Courses
Twenty-four content hours of course work are required. Students may choose from a wide selection of in-depth courses covering specialty topics from roses and heucheras to oaks, viburnums and aquatics. Students may begin taking electives at any time.

Who Should Participate:

Amateur gardeners and plant enthusiasts
Aspiring horticulture professionals
Practicing landscape architects and garden designers
Garden installation and maintenance specialists
Plant production, marketing and retailing personnel
Those seeking undergraduate college credit

Academic Credit
A limited number of courses are available for college credit through Loyola University of Chicago (LUC). For further information, please phone Bryan Pickett at LUC, (773) 508-3367. Other colleges and universities may also accept Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate courses for academic credit. Contact the transfer credit office at the institution of your choice or your academic advisor.

Program Policies

Online Registration

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