About Us

Nestled in the Boise Foothills, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a 32-acre living museum that connects people, plants, and nature. With 15 acres of cultivated gardens and a 10-acre expansion underway which includes an Educational Arboretum, Therapeutic Garden, and Scholar Garden as we enter a transformational era.

Our mission is clear and compelling: Cultivate. Educate. Celebrate. At IBG, we value respect, inclusivity, collaboration, curiosity, and approachability. We foster a coaching-centered culture where team members are trusted, supported, and appreciated.

Opportunity

The Ornamental Horticulturist is responsible for being a steward of our living collection of plants in assigned ornamental gardens. The ideal candidate has prior horticulture experience and a passion for working with unique, interesting, diverse plant pallet and maintenance techniques.  They will work to foster a deep sense of place and to inspire, enrich and educate our community in support of the garden’s mission of connecting people, plants, and nature, through garden maintenance, innovative plant selection and techniques, and positive interactions with garden guests.

Responsibilities

• Primarily work hands-on in ornamental gardens and may be required to assist in the stewardship of natural ecosystems. Tasks may include: weeding, planting, pruning, mulching, watering, irrigation repair, staking, dividing, transplanting plants, path maintenance, mowing, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and removal of invasive plant species

• Assist with implementing innovative garden design and plant selection in assigned cultivated gardens

• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote horticultural quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality
• Ensure Garden areas are kept as weed-free as possible, scout for pests, and ensure optimal health of plants by correct fertilization and irrigation
• Develop and maintain a Garden Maintenance Plan for all assigned areas
• Must have a keen eye for garden detail, and maintain plant appearance by timely and proper pruning techniques, deadheading, etc.

Must be able to assume responsibility for following all guidelines related to safety, equipment operation, and maintenance tasks.

• Contribute to overall team spirit, support the overall needs and success of organizational goals and happenings through cross departmental and internal department collaboration.
• Acts as a mentor to Assistant Horticulturist(s), interns, look for ways to help them improve and gain better horticulture skills

• Assist in garden education programs, including giving garden tours and outreach opportunities.

• Lead Volunteers, Assistant Horticulturist(s), and other staff in coordination of horticulture tasks in assigned areas.

• Participate in plant documentation through plant labeling tasks, notification of additions or removals of plants in the garden and notify new plantings and removals to the Collection Curator
• Other Duties as Assigned