Head Gardener
From English Country Gardeners
Working For: English Country Gardeners
A rare opportunity has arisen for a talented horticulturist to join a stunning private garden based in Dorset on a full-time permanent basis, as the existing Head Gardener is now retiring after a wonderful 37-years within the estate. This position will suit an experienced Senior Gardener looking to take the next step in their career, or an existing Head Gardener with a desire to take on a large and diverse garden in order to utilise their full horticultural skill set.
The wider estate consists of farmland, a large in-hand farming operation, woodland, conservation projects and scheduled parks, plus the formal gardens; it is also home to a Grade I listed property with a rich history and has been home to the family for over 400 years. The gardens are very much a family curated open space that have been slowly adapted over the years by each principal to their own style, preferences, and personal tastes.
Surrounding the property are 20-acres of formal and informal gardens, consisting of expansive lawns, traditional mound garden providing natural viewing platforms, large herbaceous borders as well as a grass tennis court. Also within the grounds is a chalk stream garden, a walnut and apple orchard, and a wonderful kitchen garden that grows a wide variety of fruit and vegetables for the main house as well as local charities. The owners are strong advocates for promoting wildlife and biodiversity and in the last 3 years, areas of wildflower meadows have continued to increase.
The garden is open to the public one day a week throughout the spring and summer months as well as for other charitable openings; therefore, candidates must be happy to act as an ambassador for the garden and answer any horticultural related questions or queries that visitors may have.
The Head Gardener will oversee all finer horticultural aspects of the garden and will be supported by a small team comprising of gardeners and grounds workers. Suitable applicants will ideally possess academic horticultural qualifications and experience in horticulturally diverse gardens, good physical fitness, excellent plant identification and management skills, with practical experience with the use and basic maintenance of a full range of garden machinery. Applicants should be equally passionate, energetic, and experienced hands-on professionals with an ability to manage others including part time gardeners, as well as a Skilled Gardener whom the client is also recruiting for. The estate is always growing and developing and the successful candidate will have the ability to offer their own thoughts, ideas, and contributions to the gardens, collaborating with the owners to ensure the garden continue to thrive.
This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate and skilled Head Gardener. Normal working hours apply however flexibility is required depending on the needs of the principles and the season.
SALARY: Up to £38,000 depending on experience
LOCATION: Near Wimborne, Dorset
JOB No: EC57061
If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sophie Sharpe on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Head 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 Head Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.