Ornamental Horticulture

Ornamental Horticulture (OH) is an applied natural science focused on growing and caring for plants, including flowers, trees, and grasses. Ornamental Horticulture is a highly diversified field with a wide variety of career options.

Diverse Career Options

Ornamental Horticulture includes Production Horticulture, Floriculture and Landscape Horticulture. Students of Ornamental Horticulture at Cuyamaca College have the opportunity to study all of these areas of the Green Industry.

Production Horticulture

Starting and growing new plants for marketing and sale in a nursery or greenhouse environment.

Floriculture

Floriculture is the production, design and sale of cut flowers and potted plants used for their immediate decorative beauty.

Landscape Horticulture

The planting and care of landscape plants. This can include plants that provide fruits and vegetables, sports turf and golf course management, arboriculture (the care of trees), irrigation system management, and more. Landscape Architecture is an associated discipline.

Degrees and Certificates

Ornamental Horticulture (OH) students at Cuyamaca College can choose from eight different majors; our program offers eight associate’s degrees and nine certificates. Completing all OH courses required for a major + general education courses is necessary to earn an Associate Degree in Science. Completing OH courses only is required to earn certificate(s). Many core OH courses overlap for all majors allowing students to earn multiple degrees or certificates.

OH Majors

Arboriculture
Floral Design
Golf Course and Sports Turf Management
Irrigation Technology
Landscape Architecture
Landscape Technology
Nursery Technology
Sustainable Urban Landscapes
Basic Ornamental Horticulture (certificate only)

Course Descriptions

From the current Catalog

Degree Descriptions

From Current Catalog

OH Course Rotation

New State-of-the-Art Facility

Ornamental Horticulture at Cuyamaca College has brand-new facilities that opened in 2021! The state-of-the-art classrooms, workshops and greenhouses combined with our nine-acre field site provides students the best opportunity to gain the skills needed for a rewarding career.

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Cuyamaca College Plant Nursery

Hours: During Fall 2024 the OH Nursery is open Mondays through Friday, from 9am - 4pm.

Nursery Phone

(619) 660-4573

Ornamental Horticulture at Cuyamaca College is unique in its operation of a retail nursery on campus. Since 1981, open five days a week during the Fall and Spring semesters, and four days a week during the Summer, the Cuyamaca College Nursery is run by our students, providing hands-on learning for a career in plant propagation or plant sales. Paid internships are available for OH students to work as growers or nursery sales associates. All sales earnings support the Ornamental Horticulture program.

OH Nursery