About the Role

We are seeking an Experienced Gardener, who is passionate, and highly capable to take responsibility for the day-to-day care, maintenance, and development of a private estate garden.

The successful candidate will have a strong knowledge of horticulture, a genuine passion for plants and gardens, and excellent attention to detail. This is an opportunity for someone who takes pride in maintaining beautiful, well-presented grounds to an exceptionally high standard. 

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain lawns, borders, hedges, shrubs, trees, ornamental planting, and seasonal displays to a high standard.
• Carry out planting, pruning, propagation, weeding, mulching, feeding, watering, and general garden maintenance.
• Maintain formal and informal garden areas in accordance with the estate’s horticultural plans and standards.
• Monitor plant health and identify and appropriately manage pests, diseases, and other horticultural issues.
• Operate and maintain gardening machinery and equipment safely, including mowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers, and other specialist equipment.
• Undertake seasonal garden tasks and prepare the estate grounds for changing weather conditions.
• Assist with the care and maintenance of greenhouses, glasshouses, vegetable gardens, orchards, or other specialist areas where required.
• Maintain paths, terraces, garden furniture, water features, and other external areas.
• Keep tools, machinery, sheds, and working areas clean, organised, and well maintained.
• Assist with larger landscaping, planting, and garden development projects.
• Work closely with the Estate Manager, Head Gardener, contractors, and other estate staff.
• Ensure all work is carried out with discretion, professionalism, and respect for the privacy of the household.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety throughout all gardening activities.

 Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience working as a gardener, preferably within a private estate, large garden, historic property, or high-end horticultural environment.
• Strong practical horticultural knowledge and plant identification skills.
• Excellent pruning and plant-care abilities.
• A keen eye for detail and pride in maintaining immaculate gardens.
• The ability to work independently and manage daily tasks effectively.
• Good physical fitness and the ability to undertake outdoor work throughout the year.
• Experience using and maintaining professional gardening machinery and equipment.
• A proactive, reliable, and conscientious approach.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• A professional appearance and manner.
• A flexible attitude towards working hours and seasonal requirements.
• A valid driving licence.

Desirable Skills

• Formal horticultural qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience caring for formal gardens, mature trees, ornamental borders, or specialist collections.
• PA1/PA6 or equivalent pesticide application qualifications, where applicable.
• Chainsaw or specialist machinery qualifications, where relevant.
• Irrigation system experience.
• Knowledge of organic and sustainable gardening practices.
• Experience with vegetable gardens, orchards, or glasshouse cultivation.
• Basic landscaping and garden construction skills.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about horticulture and gardening.
• Meticulous and quality-focused.
• Trustworthy, discreet, and respectful.
• Self-motivated and hardworking.
• Calm and adaptable.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a small estate team.
• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of presentation.

Working Environment

This is a hands-on role within a private estate where discretion, reliability, and attention to detail are essential. The successful candidate will take considerable pride in the appearance and condition of the gardens and will play an important role in preserving and enhancing the estate’s grounds.

Salary: Up to £32,000 DOE

To apply: Please submit a CV and brief covering letter outlining your relevant experience, horticultural skills, and availability

This private advert is being managed directly by the employer. English Country Gardeners are not involved in the hiring process and are therefore unable to share any additional information on this role. If you have any questions regarding this position, the best course of action is to apply for the job which will open a line of communication with the employer.

If you would like to view more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild, please click here and the Royal Horticultural Society, please click here

For more gardener roles please click here

Tagged as: East Sussex, Experienced Gardener, full time, Private Advert