Sole Gardener
From English Country Gardeners
Working For: English Country Gardeners
Sole Gardener required
An attractive opportunity has arisen for a Sole Gardener on a beautiful private estate in much sought-after location 7 miles from Hereford. The position would suit a qualified and experienced gardener with an active interest in biodiversity.
The stunning 17th century grade II listed building is surrounded by an interesting and diverse garden containing a Venetian Garden, Mediterranean garden, rose garden, walled garden modelled on an alpine garden with lawns, borders, flower beds and rose bushes. On either side of the 50-meter entrance path to the property are two orchards and a vineyard of about 2.2 acres. The formal gardens are about 3 acres including a vegetable plot, large and small greenhouse and a fruit cage that will need tending to by the successful applicant, as will climbing wisteria on the walls of the main house. As part of the wider estate is an arboretum with specimen trees. A previous owner won gold at Chelsea.
The Sole Gardener will be responsible for reinstating but also shaping the future of the garden. They will have initiative and a creative eye to contribute new ideas to improve and develop the gardens and estate e.g. irrigation, pollarding, hedging. The successful candidate will take ownership and great pride in their work delivering beautiful results.
Applicants should have experience of the above, be confident and skilled in pruning methods, i.e., of wisteria and roses, and be physically fit with good horticultural knowledge and plant identification skills. Excellent knowledge of lawn maintenance, shrubs and herbaceous plants is important. Candidates will ideally possess an academic horticultural qualification e.g. RHS level 2 or similar, previous experience delivering maintenance for a high quality garden. As the position is singlehanded, discipline, time management and organisation are essential. As is the ability to work alone and within a wider team and supervise and manage outside contractors e.g. tree surgeons.
Applicants will hold a horticultural qualification e.g. RHS level 2 or above and have good horticultural knowledge e.g. maintaining a walled garden, lawn care and tree knowledge. He / She will have experience in a similar setting working on a private estate garden at a Senior or Sole gardener level and have high attention to detail and are organised and tidy in their work. Spray tickets (PA1/PA6) would be advantageous however training can be provided as long as there is the willingness to acquire. A chainsaw licence would be beneficial, as is experience with a wide range of gardening machinery. Candidates should be willing and able to undertake general garden handyman duties required of a Sole Gardener. A full driving licence may be useful as the property is located in a small village. Reference checks will be requested from the successful candidate.
This opportunity would suit a gardener who is: creative, reliable, hardworking, a good communicator, genial, flexible and an animal lover.
SALARY: Up to £50,000
LOCATION: 7 miles from Hereford
JOB No: EC56697
If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Tom Little on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Sole 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 Sole Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.