Instructor: Michael Ruggiero

Michael Ruggiero
 Michael Ruggiero came to the garden in the summer of 1961 and is the former Senior Curator of Horticulture. During his time at the Garden he was responsible for the Orchid Collection, Propagation Greenhouses, Annual Displays, Plant Records, The Native Plant Garden and The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Along with Lynden Miller, he oversaw the preparation and Planting of the Perennial Garden: The Herb Garden with Penelope Hobhouse, the Home Gardening Center, Children's Adventure Garden and the Planning, building and planting of the Paeonia, Daylily, and Liaison Daffodil Collections. After retiring, he was Horticulturist at Matterhorn Nursery where he Built the David Austin Rose Garden and for five years designed the Macy's Flower Show. He has written articles on many diverse gardening subjects for gardening publications and has appeared on The Victory Garden, Rebecca's Garden, and with Martha Stewart. He has authored Annuals with Style, Perennial Gardening, and Reliable Roses and Spotters Guide to Wildflowers of North America.

Classes by this instructor


Fundamentals of Gardening

Explore the basics of successful, environmentally friendly gardening. Topics include soils and their improvement, seed sowing, vegetative propagation, planting, pruning, watering, weeding, mulching, and disease and pest control. This course is also required for the Therapeutic Horticulture Certificate.
253GAR301E 03/27 Th 10:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG
261GAR301 07/07 Mo 2:00pm-4:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG
261GAR301F 09/14 Su 10:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Landscape Plants: Annuals

Become familiar with the identification, culture, and landscape use of annuals and select tender perennials. Review major groups of common species as well as more unusual types. Learn how to choose low-maintenance plants, and review the scientific and common names more...
254HRT341 06/28 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Landscape Plants: Spring Perennials

This course is designed for horticulturists and gardeners who are familiar with the basic culture of perennials. Learn the identifying characteristics, classification, scientific and common names, and landscape uses of approximately 60 spring-blooming perennials. Please dress appropriately for outdoors. Prerequisite: more...
254HRT336B 05/08 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Landscape Plants: Spring Trees and Shrubs

Learn the identification, classification, and landscape use of spring-flowering trees and shrubs. Major plant groups include Magnolia, Malus, Prunus, Viburnum,and other genera, which are particularly ornamental in spring. The class goes out on the grounds rain or shine. Prerequisite: Introduction more...
254HRT334C 04/13 Su 9:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Plant Propagation I: Basic Principles

Learn principles and techniques of plant propagation by seed and cuttings. Explore basic sexual and asexual propagation, focusing on fruit development, seedling production, root initiation, stem and leaf cuttings, and layering.
253HRT411B 03/01 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG

Plants for Landscaping

Choose the right plant for the right place, based on site-specific design and maintenance criteria. Learn landscape values such as size, texture, color, and flowering and fruiting seasons. Review trees, shrubs, groundcovers, annuals, and perennials suitable for this region.
254HRT358A 04/16 We 11:00am-1:40pm Ruggiero
NYBG
261HRT358 07/14 Mo 1:00pm-4:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG
261HRT358D 07/28 Mo 9:00am-12:00pm Ruggiero
NYBG