Head Gardener

Head Gardener - Private Manor

Private Manor located near Cirencester in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds. We are a commercial estate of approximately 2000 acres. The estate is privately owned, with the Manor used as a 5-star private retreat for guests from all over the world.

The formal gardens cover roughly 3 acres and include sections originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll, as well as formal lawns, ornamental pond and yew hedging. We are currently working with a renowned garden designer to improve the gardens, using the original Jekyll designs as inspiration.

We are looking to appoint a dedicated horticulturalist with an in-depth knowledge of plants, shrubs and trees. The role as head gardener would cover the creative direction and upkeep of the formal gardens. Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to:

- Working with the garden designer to improve the current gardens.
- Implementation of all planting schemes and designs.
- Day to day care and maintenance of the garden to include: All formal beds, including Dahlias. Hedges and fruit trees, including topiary, within the garden. Water features, including the pond area.
- Formal lawn care (sward health/sustenance) - we are currently investing in robotic mowers for all of the main lawns.
- Producing cut flowers for the house
- Management and development of our part time gardener
- Basic upkeep and maintenance of garden tools and equipment

You would be responsible at all times to the House Manager and Owner and would undertake your duties as instructed by them.

A salary is being offered £32K - 34K depending on experience. Full time role, including weekend work where necessary. 40 hours per week.

Experience
- Formal horticultural qualification/certificate.
- 5 years estate gardening experience or similar background.
- Strong plant knowledge with a high attention to detail and level of skill when working with plants, shrubs and trees.
- A can-do, proactive attitude, friendly and able to work well with others, but also in an independent, unsupervised role.
- Experience of horticultural equipment including basic maintenance e.g. ride on garden tractor, strimmer, hedge trimmers, blowers etc.