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Public Gardens Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Powell Gardens, Inc

Full-time Gardener

Kingsville, MO · On-site

$16/hr

Established in 1988, Powell Gardens is a public garden, maintaining 770 acres of lush, rolling hills and windswept meadows, with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open to the ...

Magnolia Plantation

Color Display Manager

Charleston, SC · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, one of the nation's oldest and most frequented historical public gardens, prides itself on the ability to create immersive visual experiences through their gardens and ...

Magnolia Plantation

Color Display Manager

Charleston, SC · On-site

$50K/yr

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, one of the nation's oldest and most frequented historical public gardens, prides itself on the ability to create immersive visual experiences through their gardens and ...

Holden Forests & Gardens

Land Steward

Kirtland, OH · On-site

$48K - $58K/yr

Appreciates the importance of the work of arboreta, public gardens, and museums * Observe all safety protocols and always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required for positions ...

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Public Gardens information

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$28K

$107.5K

$184.5K

How much do public gardens jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for public gardens in the United States is $107,533.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $134,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are public gardens?

Public gardens are cultivated spaces that are open to the public and designed for the enjoyment, education, and conservation of plants. They often feature a variety of plant collections, landscaped areas, walking paths, and educational signage. Public gardens may include botanical gardens, arboretums, and community gardens, and they often host events, workshops, and tours. These spaces aim to promote environmental awareness, horticultural education, and community engagement.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in public gardens, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in public gardens often face challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, managing plant health across diverse species, and balancing the needs of visitors with conservation goals. Addressing these issues typically involves careful planning, ongoing education in horticultural best practices, and close collaboration with other staff, including educators and maintenance teams. Building strong communication channels and staying adaptable are key to maintaining a thriving public garden and providing a positive visitor experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public gardens manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Gardens Manager, you need expertise in horticulture, landscape management, and plant science, often supported by a degree in horticulture or a related field. Familiarity with garden planning software, irrigation systems, and pest management tools is commonly required. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills help manage staff, volunteers, and community engagement. These abilities are vital for maintaining healthy, attractive gardens and ensuring effective operations and visitor satisfaction.

What is the difference between Public Gardens vs Landscape Architects?

AspectPublic GardensLandscape Architects
CredentialsTypically require horticulture or botany degrees, certifications in garden managementRequire a professional degree in landscape architecture and licensure
Work EnvironmentPublic parks, botanical gardens, outdoor spacesDesign studios, outdoor sites, urban and rural projects
Industry UsageManaged by municipalities, parks departments, or private organizationsHired for designing and planning outdoor spaces and landscapes

Public Gardens focus on maintaining and managing outdoor botanical spaces for public enjoyment, often involving horticultural expertise. Landscape Architects design and plan outdoor environments, combining aesthetics with functionality, requiring specialized licensure. While both work outdoors and in related environments, Public Gardens are more about maintenance and horticulture, whereas Landscape Architects focus on design and planning.

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Public Gardens jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Gardens job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,533 per year, or $51.7 per hour.

Full-time Gardener

Powell Gardens, Inc

Kingsville, MO • On-site

$16/hr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

About Us:
As Kansas City’s Botanical Garden, Powell Gardens plays a vital role in the community as a space for release, rejuvenation, and the celebration of the fleeting nature of nature itself. Visitors enjoy themed display gardens, a three-mile nature trail, seasonal festivals, rotating exhibitions, and exceptional architecture. Established in 1988, Powell Gardens is a public garden, maintaining 770 acres of lush, rolling hills and windswept meadows, with more than 175 acres and a large collection of plants open to the public for education, exploration, and recreation. 
We at Powell believe that our team members are our most important asset. By building strong relationships with each other, we can ensure that our guests have the best possible experience. If you love to work outdoors and want to leave your mark in the gardening world, Powell Gardens is the place for you! Come experience our beautiful gardens and join our team of experts.

Summary:
This gardener position assists with overall horticultural installation, display, maintenance, growing crops, and collections care. The highest quality and execution should be focused on design maintenance and development and installation of these various areas providing the visitor with impactful moments at Powell Gardens. Assisting with seasonal festival shifts, installation and support of the Garden is an additional responsibility.  

Essential Functions:
  • Seasonal garden installation on schedule.
  • Impactful garden display including produced plants, designed gardens, container gardens, and updated plant tags.
  • Responsible for weeding, mulching, watering, planting and general maintenance. We strive for excellence, emphasizing the quality of collections, materials, function, and design. By maintaining exemplary standards of horticultural care, we reflect this commitment to excellence, ensure the optimal health of our living collections, and create a landscape of enduring beauty.
  • Design and implementation of creative displays in the assigned beds of the Core Gardens with a focus on collections.
  • Interacting and interpreting different elements of our displays through talks and chalkboard signs.
  • Quickly change out plants as needed so no dead or declining plants are on display.
  • Assist with accurate documentation of the area’s plant records and requests for new and updated plant tags.
  • Assist with snow and ice removal on sidewalks.
  • Timely plant maintenance, pest and disease control, record keeping; may include collection houses and/or production.
  • Identify and control any threating plant pests and diseases as required.
  • Support garden activation in collaboration with education department, private events, development team, festivals, exhibits.
  • The horticulture team is an integral part of planning, designing, installing, and tearing down seasonal festivals and annual exhibitions. Participation in meetings, creating designs, hands-on construction, and working festival shifts beyond traditional garden hours will be required.
  • Effective collaboration with maintenance team.
  • Inspect and communicate concerns and needs in a timely manner allowing enough lead time to manage issues.
  • Coordinate and develop a team of volunteers.
  • Assist in providing direction and support for all volunteers and interns in your area.

Other Duties:
  • Assist with meeting timelines for displays, installation, maintenance, and containers.
  • Use monthly checklists to ensure all task are completed.
  • Working relationship within departments to complete festival tasks.
  • Garden Manual.
  • Assist with annual content updates for the area’s garden manual.
  • Collections.
  • Assist with maintenance of plants in the collections’ greenhouses.

Experience/Education:
  • Associate Degree in Horticulture field or related area Preferred.
  • High School Diploma or GED Required.
  • 1+ years botanical garden or similar experience Preferred.
  • Valid Driver's License Required.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
  • Must be able to lift 40lbs; accomplish strenuous work on an ongoing basis in various conditions, including extreme heat and cold; must have dexterity and be able to groom plants and prune with speed and accuracy.
  • Ability to work weekend schedule (Typically Sunday to Thursday) and evenings, holidays as required.