Sole Gardener
An incredible opportunity has arisen for a driven sole gardener to work closely with one of the country’s most celebrated horticulturists on developing a 3-acre garden near Heathfield in East Sussex.
The stunning Grade II listed property dates back to the late 13th century with 18th and 19th century additions. The gardens are currently kept private, but the owners are considering opening through the NGS. The gardens consist of ancient pasture to the front of the house culminating in a circular driveway with a large central lawn. This space will be changed to into an intricate garden to create a distinct area. The west facing garden has mature trees, shrubs and topiary at various levels and is bordered by pleached hornbeams separating it from the rear garden. Beyond the shrubs, a secret garden will be created. The South-facing Garden benefits from a large lawn, pond, wildflower meadow and a paved terrace adjacent to the house, an elegant south-facing brick wall supports a flower border, there are also a summer house and a greenhouse. A small stream with deep protective banks runs down one side of the garden and there is an orchard to the rear accessed by bridges, this stocks apples, plums, mulberry, pears, a walnut and ornamental tree.
The garden project is currently in the planning phase and the garden designer aims to kick off the three-year project at the end of June 2021. The owners are looking for a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hands-on gardener with some experience to start working as the gardens are being built by the garden designer from the early stages of this exciting project and manage the gardens thereafter. The successful candidate should also have an eye for floristry as the owners enjoy growing, cutting and using flowers and plants from the garden inside the house.
Applicants must have excellent attention to detail and a positive, enthusiastic attitude towards their work. The successful candidate with ideally hold a horticultural qualification and have about 3 years’ experience working on a private estate garden. The gardener must be able to communicate effectively, particularly as they will be expected to work closely with other gardeners during the development phase as well as with the distinguished designer. The gardens are mainly organic; however, sprays are occasionally used for pathways etc. therefore a spray certificate would be an advantage as well as a chainsaw certificate but not essential. A driving licence is required.
Typical garden management duties in relation to the garden will include:
- Ongoing maintenance of, and potentially additional planting, in the existing areas of the garden including the development of areas of Rhododendrons in the woodland
- Annual planting and management of existing cutting beds and pot displays and management of existing fruit orchard.
- Creating, and working with the client, in developing flower displays within the house using plants from the garden.
- Taking over management of plantings and maintenance for new garden areas on agreed completion and thereafter ongoing management.
- Supporting the successful establishment of new trees and topiary including, where necessary, developing new topiarised shapes amongst other mature specimens.
- General maintenance of hedges, lawns and wildflower areas including supervision of others, where this makes sense, in the cutting of large areas of hedging.
Accommodation can be available if required. Depending on the successful candidate’s circumstances, this would be either onsite or accommodation in the local village.
SALARY: Up to £30,000 DOE
LOCATION: Near Heathfield, East Sussex
JOB No: EC28712
If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Sole 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 Sole Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
