WOODY NURSERY PRODUCTION SUMMER INTERNSHIP
As one of the great gardens of the world located just 30 miles outside of Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens is rooted in a steadfast mission of bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Across our many departments, each and every staff member creates the magic that makes our Gardens distinctive. Our team of dynamic professionals is what sets us apart, and our spirit of legacy, innovation, and opportunity is what guides us. While beauty is our heart, our people are our soul.
Join our team for a summer Nursery Production internship! The Woody Nursery Production Intern will learn propagation, potting, labeling, record-keeping, pruning, and transplanting techniques through involvement with the day-to-day operation of Longwood Gardens’ woody plant nursery.
What you gain:
- Experience pruning, maintaining, and evaluating woody plant material
- Experience conducting general maintenance including weeding, mulching, irrigation installation and maintenance
- Experience preparing trees and shrubs for transport and installation in the display gardens by hand digging, ball-and-burlapping, and using a tree spade
- Experience learning about and propagating and grafting historic trees to support the Specimen Tree Replacement (STR) Plan
- Opportunities to support the process of labeling plants and recordkeeping, including inventory and propagation records
- Opportunities to help with A Longwood Christmas and other seasonal displays by growing woody plants for the indoor display
- Opportunities to travel to nearby nurseries to tour and pick up plant material
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in or completed (graduated in May 2025 or later) an associate or bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field
- Ability work in varying weather conditions
- Occasional weekend work is required
- Ability to lift 50 pounds, bending, stooping, and operating small equipment
- A valid driver’s license is required
- U.S.-based individuals only (for international internship program, click here).
The internship will run from June 1, 2026 to August 6, 2026.
Application Requirements:
- Upload an updated CV or resume
- Upload a statement of purpose (Word or PDF) telling us why you are interested in coming to Longwood and what you hope to gain from this placement
- Provide the names and email addresses for two professional references. Your references will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist.
Application deadline is January 15, 2026. Reviewing will begin in January, and interviews will be conducted through February 18, 2026.
Benefits:
- Free furnished housing on the grounds of Longwood Gardens (this is a taxable benefit). For further details about housing click here.
- All utilities are included except cable television
- 24 hours of personal time and 2 paid holidays
- Weekly field trips, hands-on workshops, lectures, and conferences
- Complimentary tickets to Longwood Gardens for friends and family
- 50% discount at The Café and 25% discount in The Garden Shop
Longwood Gardens is committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the complexities and differences of all living things. We welcome and respect diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. Diversity creates a more beautiful world, sparks innovation, and unites us.