Certified Professional Horticulturist

When Beautiful Garden Results Are Important To You... Know A Pro!

Starting a garden design project is a big decision, one that benefits from the knowledge and expertise of a professional. A CPH can guide you through any and all elements of the process, from design to plant and hardscape selection to irrigation systems. A CPH can also help to solve individual gardening challenges from pruning a tree to helping a stressed plant thrive. The result is a garden that makes sense aesthetically and functionally for your particular needs.

A CPH has the skills and knowledge you need to make your project a success. The CPH designation assures you of their experience, education and knowledge of horticulture, much like experts in other fields.

So before you start your gardening project, speak with a CPH and know you’re getting the expert advice you need. Ask your local nursery if they have a CPH on staff or look for the CPH logo on name badges, on banners, and at the cash register.

Who Are We?

• A CPH is a nursery and landscape professional.
• A CPH is the cream of the crop in the profession.
• A CPH is an important resource to people interested in gardening and landscaping.
• A CPH is educated in the field, experienced and committed to continuing their education to keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date.

Testimonials from CPHs

Robin Haglund, CPH Garden Mentors, Seattle
One of my most powerful gardening business tools is my CPH designation. My horticultural knowledge began to coalesce into a firm, business-building foundation when I studied Environmental Horticulture at Lake Washington Technical College.

As I made my way through my studies, I planned ahead to take the CPH exam, thinking of it as our industry’s bar exam. I knew this qualification would become an important credential for me to share with potential clients. Today, I easily provide clients evidence that hiring me means engaging a professional with proven talents across multiple horticultural disciplines.

The horticultural proficiency demanded by the CPH exam assures my clients that my award-winning designs will fit their needs, and that I am able to follow the rules of right plant, right place. Too, they rest assured that I can help them understand and deal with confusing problems like soil interfacing, following correct pruning techniques, identifying plant material during any season, and a host of other demands. And, in the event that something stumps me, my clients relax knowing that being a CPH means I work within a larger network of other CPHs. Each CPH dedicates themselves to continuing education in the field, and each of us chooses different specialties on which to focus.

Sara Meier, CPH Hayes Nursery, Issaquah
Being a Certified Professional Horticulturist lets my retail customers know that they can count on me to give them accurate, up to date, information regarding anything they wish to know. Whether they are asking about landscape design, growing perennials or pruning, my credentials make it clear that I know what I am talking about.

Often, from customers, I hear, "Is there a Master Gardener on staff?" or "Who is your tree and shrub expert?" I answer, "That’s me. What can I help you with?" My CPH status ensures that I stay informed by going to classes, to earn credits, to keep my certification up to date.

Having the title CPH accompany my name on my business card makes my customers aware of my knowledge and professionalism. They ask what it means and I explain. They then feel comfortable letting me guide them on their next horticultural adventure. Whether it be putting together a container with plants that will give them seasonal interest or schooling them on our native pollinators, Mason Bees, they know that they can come back to Hayes Nursery and get information that is easy to understand.

Some of my best customers arrived at the nursery armed with a minimal amount of knowledge and not much faith in themselves. Taking it step by step and helping them to understand that gardening and plants should be fun and not stressful, has resulted in great friendships and good business. I look forward to the day when a customer walks through the door and asks, "Do you have a CPH on staff?"

Jane Stewart, CPH McComb Gardens Nursery, Sequim
Learning is fun. The more you know about a subject the more fun it is. In the world of horticulture, the curriculum for the CPH is a good place to start. Fortunately there is a huge amount of information out in horticulture land, and it continues to expand and change.

Unprepared engagements are stressful. Entering into a meeting or encounter prepared is relaxing. When you can answer 80% of customers questions, and have the resources to locate answers to the rest it is relaxing. Knowing that your fellow workers are also prepared makes work enjoyable and easy.

A relaxed employee is comfortable and a pleasure to the customer.

It is good to be recognized by the nursery community and your public, as a knowledgeable certified professional. Being certified gives you creditability. More important, it is personally rewarding to be able to impart information and make landscape recommendations, that will bring success to your customer. The personal rewards of improving people’s lives are immense.

Robert Hendrickson of The Garden Center Group says for customers to be enticed to visit a business they must perceive it to fulfill one of three experiences. I propose that all three are available to the person who is ‘Living Certified’. The three experiences are fun, relaxing and personally rewarding.

Steve Smith & Staff, CPH Sunnyside Nursery, Marysville
At Sunnyside Nursery, we’re proud of the fact we have five CPHs on staff. But what exactly does that mean to you, the consumer? It means that you can be confident you’re getting excellent gardening advice from employees who really know their stuff.

Not just anybody can be a CPH! Just like any other professional, we go through an extensive training period. We study botany, plant propagation, entomology and other sustainable gardening basics. We also study plant naming and identification, and homescaping. Would you want gardening advice from someone who was afraid of a little dirt? Well, neither would we! That is why CPHs must have at least 2000 hours in the field or one year’s work experience with a licensed nursery, landscape contractor or WSNLA approved business or institution.

So, when you have lawn and garden questions, ask a CPH. They really know their stuff!