Scott Phillips, Assistant Manager of Horticulture

West Philadelphia born and raised.

I am very proud to be from Philly & I’ve been lucky enough to work within a lineage of extraordinary plant people –especially my Mom, Norman Lehr, Michael Petrie, Paul Orpello, and many others at J. Franklin Styer’s – too numerous to name but to whom I’m forever thankful.

I’ve worked in horticulture since I was 13 years old, when I began assisting my mother, who was plant-buyer at J. Franklin Styer’s Nurseries. I’ve worked on tree farms, rose gardens, cut flower gardens, and in garden design. I also worked with PHS Philadelphia flower show award-winner Michael Petrie on many projects, including installations, and have participated in the Philadelphia Flower show for over a decade.

Prior to starting at Arnold, I was a gardener at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, where I assisted head horticulturist Paul Orpello and learned how to manage gardens organically. I have worked as a master groundskeeper at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, a 300-acre oak preserve of formal gardens, woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and hiking trails located near Valparaiso, Indiana. I also led in the management of prescribed burns per CRP.

I love everything about life in the field of horticulture and look forward to every day at Arnold Arboretum–I am very proud and thankful to work in a place that I have admired since I was a young. I am continuously inspired by past and present horticulturists, including my Mom, Beatrix Farrand, Andrea Brunsendorf, E.H Wilson, Christopher Lloyd, Fergus Garrett, Piet Oudolf, everyone at Chanticleer & Dixter, and Karl Foerster –I am lucky to follow in their footsteps.