Landscape/Plant Production Technology

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

About this program

You have a passion for plants. Love the great outdoors. And picture yourself actively immersed in a green career. Major in Landscape/Plant Production Technology at Penn College and you’ll learn what it takes thrive in a sustainable field. Choose from a variety of specialized landscape and plant production electives and cultivate a skillset that aligns with your career goals.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

5

Acre Arboretum

100%

Overall Placement

2 Hydroponic Growing Systems

Careers

Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Ornamental Horticulture (HRT101)
  • Horticulture Equipment Operation & Safety (HRT102)
  • Soils & Fertilizers (HRT110)
  • Herbaceous Plants (HRT141)
  • Introduction to Plant Propagation (HRT142)
  • Woody Plants (HRT144)
  • Emerging Trends in Horticulture (HRT145)
  • Horticulture Accessories (HRT234)
  • Controlled Environment Agriculture (HRT123)
  • Internship (HRT150)
  • Containerized Plant Production (HRT208) or
  • Plant Management Practices (HRT237)
  • Insects & Diseases of Ornamental Plants (HRT241)
  • Computer Design Applications/Advanced Plants (HRT251)
  • Landscape Construction (HRT224) or
  • Advanced Plant Production Hemp & Hydro (HRT236)
  • Horticulture Operations & Strategies (HRT238)
  • Arboriculture (URF201) or
  • The Art of Floral Design (HRT260)
  • Sustainable Horticulture (HRT252)
  • Landscape Design (HRT225)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Business Mathematics (MTH113) or
  • Technical Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH123) or
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201) or
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101) or
  • Interpersonal Communication (SPC201)
  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
Alumni Spotlight

Will DeMarco

He never envisioned himself working a "desk job." Pursuing his passion in the great outdoors was Will’s goal. In this video you’ll meet a Penn College Landscape/Plant Production graduate who is living his dream job as a business owner and landscape designer for Xavier Landscaping.

Earth Science Center
Facilities

Earth Science Center

Gain real-world experience in our five-acre arboretum and 6,500 square feet of greenhouses.

Learning via Virtual Reality
Facilities

Learning via Virtual Reality

Design a landscape. Then, use virtual reality software to take a 'step' inside your creation. This advanced learning aid is a real-world tool designers use to present concepts to clients.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Maker Profiles
Your Class in 60 Seconds

HRT260: The Art of Floral Design

HRT260 is a favorite elective for all. And it’s easy to see why. Once you know the fundamentals, there’s no wrong way to create your masterpiece. Just let your imagination run free. Check out the latest video for a preview of the popular course and start planning your next creation.

Alumni Video

Alums Help Longwood Gardens Bloom

Known as one of the premier public gardens in the world, Longwood Gardens features more than 1,077 acres of natural beauty. Two landscape/horticulture graduates help shape that magnificent scenery by serving as senior gardeners, using art and science -- "tools" gained at Penn College -- to craft fulfilling careers at the renowned attraction.

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

Learn More
Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

National Association of Landscape Professionals
Central Penn Turf logo
Creative Plantscapes, Inc. logo
Davey Tree Expert Company logo
The F. A. Bartlett Experts logo
Good's Tree & Lawn Care logo
Hershey Gardens logo
PA Department of Transportation logo
Ruppert Landscape logo
Scott's Landscaping, Inc. logo
Strathmeyer Landscape Development Corp. logo
Turf Trade logo
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Horticulture Club

Horticulture Club

Promoting and advancing the field of horticulture, this club lends practical experience in the field along with industry exposure beyond classroom learning.

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 60+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
03.27.2024

Penn College landscape student receives PLNA scholarship

Laura A. Snyder, of Harrisburg, a landscape/plant production technology student at Pennsylvania College of Technology, was awarded a $4,500 Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Foundation Scholarship. Snyder received her award at the PLNA 120th Anniversary Celebration & Education Summit, held recently at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square.

01.30.2024

'The Science & Art of Growing'

In the latest episode of the Tomorrow Makers podcast, Carl Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, discusses his journey to Penn College and what drew him to the dynamic field he loves so much. For those considering a career in landscaping or plant production, or those who simply enjoy gardening at home, give a listen to this engaging conversation.

01.16.2024

Penn College students certified in pesticide application

Nine Pennsylvania College of Technology students – three of whom graduated in December – passed various categories of the Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator Certification exam taken near the end of the Fall 2023 semester at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

More Information

View general transfer information

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Tools should not be purchased until you have consulted with your faculty advisor or have attended HRT101 the first week of classes.

View the Landscape/Horticulture Technology Required Tools

Uniform/Safety Protection (required for all labs)

  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection (ear plugs)
  • Work gloves
  • Thick sole leather steel-toe safety boots for work labs

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Whether you're a student, parent, or counselor, find out if the green industry is right for you.

Landscape Industry Careers is powered by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), an organization of industry experts who love the outdoors, relish the opportunity to enhance the environment through their daily work, and have a passion for bringing their customers’ outdoor visions to life. 

Seed Your Future is the movement to promote horticulture and inspire people to pursue careers working with plants.

Landlovers is a website sponsored by the AmericanHort, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly PLANET).

  • Mr. Scott A Burk, Owner, Scott's Landscaping, Inc.
  • Ms. Melissa Cramer, '08, Yonder Mountain Conservation Co.
  • Mr. Michael Derk, President, Creative Plantscapes Inc.
  • Mr. Ian Groy, '01, Arborist Representative, The F. A. Bartlett Experts
  • Mr. Adrian S Karver, Area Manager/Branch Safety Coordinator, Ruppert Landscape
  • Mr. Todd Mason, '91, SIPCAM AGRO USA, INC.
  • Ms. Alyssa Richner, '10, Gardener, M. S. Hershey Foundations/Hershey Gardens
  • Mr. Michael S Shreiner, '19, Foreman, Shreiner Tree Care
  • Mr. Gerrit Strathmeyer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Strathmeyer Landscape Development Corp.
  • Mr. Jeff Walizer, '93, Design/Sales, Creative Plantscapes, Inc.
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair