An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate Sole Gardener to take full responsibility for the ongoing management and maintenance of an exceptional private garden Cookham, Berkshire. Extensively redesigned over a two-year period, this outstanding 1.6-acre formal garden has been created to an exceptionally high standard and is considered to offer all the complexity and horticultural interest of a much larger estate garden.

The garden has been meticulously designed with an emphasis on year-round structure, seasonal interest and exceptional planting. Features include an elegant formal parterre, an extensive collection of up to 500 David Austin shrub and climbing roses, intricate ornamental lawns maintained to an almost golf-green standard, a productive kitchen garden, a large greenhouse, herb garden, significant rhododendron planting, ornamental ponds linked by a stream with rock features, aquatic planting, wisteria and a diverse range of herbaceous and ornamental planting.

A comprehensive annual maintenance specification has been prepared, providing detailed guidance on the care of every aspect of the garden, ensuring its continued development and presentation to the highest possible standard. The property owner intends to retain specialist contractors for lawncare, large tree works, hedge cutting, tree inspections and any spraying requirements, allowing the successful candidate to focus on the day-to-day horticultural management of the garden.

This is a hands-on Sole Gardener position, offering complete ownership of the day-to-day management of this remarkable private garden. Working directly with the property owner, the successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining every area of the garden to an exceptional standard throughout the seasons, while also bringing their own horticultural knowledge, attention to detail and passion to the role.

Responsibilities will include the ongoing maintenance of the formal gardens, herbaceous borders and ornamental planting, together with managing the productive kitchen garden, and bringing the large greenhouse back into active production.  As well as maintaining the ponds, caring for the extensive rhododendron collection, managing climbers such as wisteria, and carrying out all routine seasonal pruning, feeding, mulching, staking, dividing and plant husbandry required across the garden.

The successful candidate will be an experienced and knowledgeable horticulturist with a genuine passion for ornamental gardening and exceptional attention to detail. They will be an accomplished plantsperson with excellent practical horticultural skills and the confidence to discuss planting, maintenance techniques and ongoing garden development with the property owner. Applicants should have strong experience maintaining high-quality private gardens, together. Practical horticultural ability and an eye for detail are important.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, organised and capable of managing their own workload while taking genuine pride in the presentation of the garden. They will enjoy working independently. Spray certificates and chainsaw qualifications are not required, as these specialist tasks are undertaken externally. A full UK driving licence would be desirable but is not essential, as the property is easily accessible by train and on foot, with parking available.

This is a full-time, permanent position with flexible working hours. The successful applicant will benefit from a comprehensive handover with the existing maintenance contractor and will have the opportunity to take ownership of one of Berkshire’s most beautifully designed private gardens, working within an inspiring horticultural environment with long-term scope to develop and enhance the garden for years to come.

SALARY:                    £40,000 – £50,000 DOE

LOCATION:              Cookham, Berkshire

JOB No:                      EC74854

If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply below,  call Jay Rimell on 01233 733510 or email 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

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