Senior Gardener
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a talented and well-rounded horticulturist to manage one assistant on a beautiful private estate near Hungerford. This role will suit academically qualified gardeners with demonstrable experience on private estates at Senior or Sole Gardener level.
Recently purchased by the new owners, this quintessentially English country house and grounds of 32-acres comprise a beautiful main house with a coach house and lodge, surrounded on all sides by woodland, rolling landscape, a lake and managed gardens. The formal aspect includes a greenhouse, specimen trees, expansive areas of lawn, a kitchen garden (with chickens), mixed and herbaceous beds and borders, cutting flowers, a swimming pool and tennis court, gravel driveways, terraces with pot plants and climbers all set within picturesque grassland and woodland that allows privacy on all sides.
One assistant gardener currently manages the gardens following the recent retirement of the previous Senior Gardener. As such, it is the aim of the client to have the successful applicant start work as soon as is reasonably possible, in time for spring. The Senior Gardener will be responsible for the Assistant Gardener and for all aspects the gardens including each of the above areas, i.e., kitchen gardening, plant propagation and cut flower production, machinery operation and basic maintenance, health and safety, ground-based tree work, development of new garden areas and associated planting design.
Applicants for this role must be physically fit, hands-on, and talented horticulturists with a very well-rounded knowledge of garden management. Strong ornamental plant knowledge is essential, as is an ability to carry out species-specific pruning, soil treatment/management, pest and disease control and the safe operation and basic maintenance of a range of garden machinery. An academic horticultural qualification at RHS level 3 or equivalent/above is desired, as is the ability to operate a chainsaw safely, though the latter will not discount otherwise suitable applicants as training can be provided. Experience in kitchen gardening and plant propagation/glasshouse work and cut flower production is required, alongside a demonstrable ability to carry out efficient seasonal garden management and planning. Due to the rural location of the property and the potential requirement for some driving duties, a full driving licence is required of all applicants.
As this is a position of responsibility on a private estate, applicants should be willing and able to contribute to the smooth running of the estate in the owner’s absence, and to always assist where possible. Candidates with a willingness and an ability to check and monitor non-horticultural aspects of the house and grounds, i.e., basic swimming pool maintenance, occasional driving, estate handyman duties etc. are encouraged to apply. Discretion is of the utmost importance in this role, so applicants with experience of managing private gardens for HNW clients are sought.
This role is offered with on-site accommodation; however, the property in which the Senior Gardener will initially live is undergoing refurbishment while another property is being built on site. Upon completion of the new property, the Senior Gardener will be offered this accommodation (unfurnished). Rent is covered by the employer, with utility bills the responsibility of the tenant.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled, qualified, and experienced horticulturist to take the lead on a truly stunning garden on a permanent basis. Applications are sought from experienced Sole/Senior and Head Gardeners in search of genuine reward for their talent and a garden in which to achieve their full potential. The role will require hard work and dedication and will offer proportional reward and pride to the successful candidate.
SALARY: £30,000 – £32,000 + Accommodation
LOCATION: Hungerford, West Berkshire
JOB No: EC26452
If this Senior Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Senior Gardener vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Senior Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
