Head Gardener
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dedicated Head Gardener on a 26-acre estate based in East Lothian, Scotland. This position would suit a self-motivated and passionate horticulturalist who is looking for a rewarding role within a small but highly professional team.
The estate’s beautiful and well-established gardens offer a diverse range of horticultural features, including carefully tended lawns, vibrant herbaceous borders, and hedges that create a sense of structure and elegance. The grounds also incorporate more naturalistic areas, such as an arboretum, informal parkland and wooded areas. The estate benefits from both a display greenhouse and production greenhouses, which are used to propagate a wide range of seasonal plants and nurture bedding plants throughout the year. There is also a picturesque orchard filled with mature fruit trees, a formal pond garden and, notably, a walled garden. The walled garden, which has recently been acquired and needs rejuvenation, presents an exciting canvas for new designs, planting schemes, and creative transformation.
The successful candidate will oversee garden management and development. They will lead and inspire a small team of gardeners, ensuring that the estate’s gardens are maintained to the highest standards throughout the seasons. The Head Gardener will have responsibility for implementing garden improvements, shaping new planting projects, and bringing their own horticultural vision to enhance the estate’s character. In addition to overseeing the team, the Head Gardener will work closely with the estate owners to ensure that their preferences are reflected in the garden’s ongoing care and future developments.
Applicants will ideally have 5+ years’ experience within a senior position at a private estate or public garden. Comprehensive plant knowledge and woodland management experience is essential as well as relevant horticultural qualifications and experience.
The successful applicant will have excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to work alone or within a team, operational knowledge and experience of safe use and routine maintenance of garden machinery, including a small tractor, ride on mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters and chainsaws. A full UK Driving Licence is required for this role.
The candidate will have comprehensive horticultural knowledge and carry out work to a high standard. The estate has an excellent staff retention record and rewards hardworking and committed individuals.
This position comes with a 2-bedroom cottage, with its own garden and greenhouse, just off the estate. The employer will cover council tax, while the candidate will be responsible for all other utility bills. Pets and children are welcome.
SALARY: £30,000+ depending on experience (Live in) 28 days holiday including bank holidays, plus the standard employer’s contribution to pension.
LOCATION: East Lothian, Scotland
JOB No: EC64065
If this Head Gardener role is of interest, please apply or contact Jay Rimell on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application will have been unsuccessful.
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