An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and skilled gardener to join a small and friendly team Reporting to the longstanding Head Gardener; this role offers a unique opportunity to work in beautifully curated gardens while developing your horticultural expertise and gaining valuable experience.

Set within a prestigious private country estate in the Berkshire countryside, the gardens comprise an exceptional and highly regarded ornamental landscape extending across approximately 10-acres, surrounded by a wider estate of parkland, woodland and lakes.  Developed to an exceptionally high horticultural standard, the gardens are recognised for their diverse planting schemes, strong architectural framework and year-round visual interest.

The gardens are arranged as a series of interconnected garden rooms, each with its own distinct character and planting palette. Formal avenues, ornamental water features, sculptural topiary and extensive yew hedging combine to create a structured framework, whilst generous herbaceous borders, seasonal displays and naturalistic planting provide colour, texture and movement throughout the year. Key features of the gardens include a formal cloister garden with ornamental fountains and water rills, vibrant hot and cool themed gardens showcasing contrasting planting styles, a traditional white garden, extensive topiary meadows and a productive walled kitchen garden. The estate also incorporates specimen trees, mature shrubs, ornamental lawns, woodland walks and natural water features’ all maintained to an exacting standard.

Working as part of a dedicated team of 5 gardeners under the direction of the Head Gardener, you will play a key role in maintaining and further developing an exceptional private garden of the highest horticultural standard. Responsibilities will include a wide range of general gardening and horticultural tasks, such as planting, weeding, pruning, deadheading and seasonal garden maintenance, all carried out with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence. The successful candidate will contribute to the ongoing care and enhancement of the gardens, while also ensuring that all working areas, facilities and equipment are kept clean, organised and presented to a high standard.

Our client is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable plantsperson with a genuine passion for horticulture and a strong understanding of a wide range of garden plants. Applicants should possess at least two years’ practical horticultural experience, together with a sound knowledge of good cultivation practices, plant health, and the identification and management of common pests and diseases.

The successful candidate will be confident in the safe operation of petrol-driven horticultural machinery and demonstrate a proactive, self-motivated approach to their work. Equally comfortable working independently or as part of a team, they will have excellent communication skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to assist with a variety of tasks as required. This is a physically demanding role involving a significant amount of manual work and year-round outdoor working in all weather conditions. As such, candidates must be fit, resilient and capable of undertaking strenuous physical duties. Flexibility is essential, as some weekend work will be required on a rota basis, and the successful applicant will be willing to adapt their responsibilities to meet the changing needs of the garden and wider estate.

The position is offered on a full-time basis, with working hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility is required, as occasional weekend working will be necessary on a rota basis to support the ongoing care and presentation of the gardens throughout the year. In return, our client offers a competitive benefits package including membership of a company pension scheme, 20 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, and the opportunity to receive a discretionary annual bonus. Applicants should live within commuting distance of the vacancy and have a full driving licence with their own transport.

As this role is based within a private estate setting, applicants must be loyal and trustworthy, and would be expected to exercise the utmost discretion at all times to respect the privacy of the owners.

SALARY:                   Up to £32,000 DOE

LOCATION:              Newbury, Berkshire

JOB No:                      EC73540

Tagged as: Newbury, Skilled Gardener