Skilled Gardener
Skilled Gardener required
A rare and wonderful opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced horticulturist to join an historic estate in west Oxfordshire. This opening will suit a horticulturist with exceptional plant knowledge, particularly of glasshouse and border work. The role is offered with a generous salary and first-class accommodation by way of a three-bedroom property at a significantly reduced rate of approximately £200/month, if required.
The majestic eighteenth-century country house is surrounded by parkland and pleasure gardens with stunning woodland walks, one of which leads to one of Britain’s finest water gardens. The original walled kitchen garden remains and provides shelter to an area that exemplifies ornamental gardening through each of the four seasons. Great expanses of lawn, large mature trees and considered ornamental planting allow the formal Italianate garden style to be highlighted further by the traditional English parkland landscape. Specimen trees and sculptures provide perspective as the eye is drawn along avenues that culminate at a pinpoint in the distance, with undulating landscape and vistas at every turn.
A small team of skilled gardeners (full and part-time) care for the gardens with great attention to detail for the benefit of the owners and the visiting public, the latter being invited to explore the estate every other weekend between April and September each year. This vacancy has arisen due to the current skilled horticulturist returning home to France in July, thereby leaving an opportunity for the successful applicant to be rewarded by way of generous and considerate employers in addition to the unique and spectacular gardens.
Suitable candidates for this role will hold an academic horticultural qualification at RHS Level 3 or above/equivalent in addition to extensive practical experience in private estate gardens. The focus of this role is fine horticulture, so excellent plant identification skills are essential in addition to a thorough understanding of garden management principles throughout the seasons. As the estate is open to the public, a willingness and ability of applicants to confidently hold discussions and present to the visiting public on occasion would be a considerable advantage. Applicants should be flexible, energetic and cooperative in nature with a positive and friendly outlook and must always be presentable. Some experience of chemical-free garden management methodologies would be helpful, though chemicals are used in some areas of the garden at present due to the size of the estate. As the primary focus of the position will be glasshouse work as well as management of the large borders, candidates must be competent and experienced in plant propagation. Good physical fitness and an eye for detail are required, with an ability to work well within a team as well as alone where necessary. During the peak of summer, watering in the glasshouse may be required over the weekend until the plant stock has been sold. This is carried out by the team on a rota basis and will be required once in every three weekends for a total of approximately half an hour each day, typically until July.
The stated salary offering will be commensurate with the successful applicant’s level of knowledge and is offered in addition to life insurance, an 8% employer pension contribution and a heavily subsidised first-class accommodation by way of a three-bedroom property. This is a fabulous opportunity for a skilled horticulturist to join a stunning and historic estate, and to work for genuinely warm and welcoming employers.
SALARY: Up to £29,000 + Accommodation
LOCATION: West Oxfordshire
JOB No: EC16768
If this Skilled 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 Skilled 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 Skilled Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.
