Ruth Borun Horticultural Intern

Job overview

The Ruth Borun Horticultural Intern is an onsite seasonal internship in La Cañada Flintridge, CA, for 30 hours per week over 34 weeks, from November 2, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Compensation is $18.50 per hour. Descanso Gardens maintains botanical collections and seasonal horticultural displays, and its nursery supports conservation, native plant propagation, and ornamental displays. The intern learns plant propagation and horticulture operations while helping sustain and enhance the Gardens’ collections. Working with the nursery and section horticulturists, the intern contributes to propagation, nursery care, seasonal displays, and related records and infrastructure.

What you'll do

• Assist with nursery and greenhouse care, including watering, fertilizing, grooming, transplanting, and weeding
• source and propagate plants
• maintain propagation schedules, labels, databases, and seed inventories
• help maintain propagation infrastructure, irrigation, and greenhouse facilities
• assist with seasonal displays and educational content
• lead volunteer teams in nursery assignments
• keep a daily work journal
• submit a completion letter to the Borun family.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

ruth borun horticultural intern

la cañada flintridge ca

descanso gardens foundation

seasonal internship

30 hours per week

34 weeks

plant propagation

horticulture

nursery

greenhouse

california native plants

seasonal displays

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Why this role

Seasonal internship with training across camellia, lilac, rose, California native, and ornamental collections; 30 hours weekly for 34 weeks.

About the employer

Descanso Gardens Foundation is hiring for this role. Industry: Zoos and Botanical Gardens. Sector: 71.