An incredible opportunity has become available for a full-time Head Gardener / Plantsperson to look after and continue to enhance a beautiful English Heritage registered garden southeast of Exeter. Set in a stunning setting with expansive views, the historic garden is horticulturally diverse and was featured in a dedicated Country Life article. There is much scope for an experienced and knowledgeable Head Gardener or a qualified and skilled gardener looking to move up into the role to continue to develop many of its wonderful natural features.

The garden surrounding the Grade II* listed country house comprises about 10 acres of lawns, herbaceous borders, orchard and woodland. Previously redesigned by Arabella Lennox Boyd, the garden includes a turning circle to the front of the house with yew hedging, a courtyard with a box hedge parterre, a large west facing terrace and flower beds, a herbaceous ‘goose foot’, a kitchen garden with greenhouse and potting shed, landscaping around the tennis court and a large gardener’s ‘bothy’. The garden also includes a rockery, river walk, island, and natural pond fed by local springs. It is home to a large variety of plants, mature trees and much natural wildlife.

The position encompasses the full range of traditional Head Gardener responsibilities both hands-on and administrative. General duties include maintaining the formal gardens surrounding the main house as well as general maintenance of the gardens of two other properties on the estate. This involves managing existing planted beds, developing new planting schemes, weeding, pruning, cutting grass and hedges, tree and orchard pruning, and woodland management. The Head Gardener will liaise with the Tree Officer on any Tree Preservation Order matters requiring exemptions for pruning or other necessary work. In the kitchen garden and greenhouse, the Head Gardener will agree planting schedules with the owners regarding the production of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers for consumption and freezing, and provide bulbs, flowers and plants for the house.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for the management of one part-time gardening staff, maintaining regular communication with the owners and budget tasks. Planning duties include maintaining weekly, seasonal and annual logs of gardening activities, as well as ensuring that sufficient supplies of consumables are available for the effective upkeep of the gardens and grounds. Routine maintenance responsibilities involve establishing and updating an inventory of equipment and machinery, ensuring accurate records of servicing, and carrying out the upkeep and correct care of all garden tools and machinery. The role also includes overseeing maintenance and repair contractors as required.

Additional duties include maintaining fences and gates throughout the garden, the upkeep of the informal pond, maintaining all terraces, bridges, paths and the drive, caring for paved and gravelled areas, the tennis court and the orchard steps, maintenance of the water cistern, as well as vermin control involving squirrels, moles, foxes and rabbits. The role also covers keeping gutters on the house, conservatory and garage clear of leaves and debris, preparing logs and kindling, maintaining and storing the trampoline and garden furniture during winter, and maintaining decking and all gates. The Head Gardener may be required to carry out any other duties relating to the garden and grounds as requested by the owners from time to time.

The successful candidate will be someone with a genuine passion for gardening and a deep appreciation for this special garden. Applicants will ideally have prior experience as a Senior or Head Gardener, preferably within a historic landscape, with horticultural qualifications being desirable though not essential. Candidates should demonstrate a wide knowledge of flowers, shrubs, trees and general garden husbandry, along with a strong track record as a plantsperson. The role requires an intuitive ability to manage a complex garden throughout the seasons, as well as experience in the use and maintenance of a wide range of garden equipment. Possession of pesticide and chainsaw licences is also preferable. An understanding of Health and Safety is important.

This opportunity would suit a trustworthy and reliable individual who takes pride in hard work, approaches the role as a responsibility rather than simply a job, and maintains a well-organised and accountable approach to budgeting and record-keeping. A self-motivated and forward planning gardener who works easily with contractors and suppliers and is respectful of the owners’ privacy at all times.

A competitive salary is offered dependent upon experience and qualifications. A DBS check and references will be required at offer stage. A full clean driving licence is essential.

SALARY:        Circa £40,000 depending on experience

LOCATION:  Southeast Exeter, Devon

JOB No:          EC70448

If this vacancy is of interest, please apply below,  call Sara Yassin 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 every one.  Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• the Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• the RHS
• the WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• the HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: Exeter, head gardener