Sole Gardener - Live Out - EC5831

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Sole Gardener to manage and develop a new garden in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.  The successful applicant will be based at the Oxfordshire property for four days per week but will also take responsibility for the owner’s garden in Holland Park, London, on a one-day per week basis.  Suitable applicants will have excellent horticultural skills, a proven ability to manage a private garden autonomously and the ability to work with associated Landscape Architects with regard to garden development.

The main garden, based in Oxfordshire, comprises 3.5-acres and is being created in two phases.  The first phase is due for completion summer 2019 and will include a large walled garden with lawns and mixed borders, a swimming pool, cricket net and lawns, a small orchard, with planting adjacent to the house.  There is approximately 1-acre of mature woodland that requires basic management.  

The second phase of development, due to be completed 2020-21, comprises formal gardens with expansive formal lawns, mixed borders, box hedging, with surrounding mature trees and hedges.  This is a fantastic opportunity for a gardener at senior level to apply their horticultural skills and creative eye from a plant-use and design perspective, as well as to utilise any hard and soft landscaping skills.

The successful applicant will be required to manage an additional garden, located in Holland Park, London, on a one day per week basis.  This formal garden measures approximately 1200m2 and comprises topiary, lawns, beds and climbing plants.  

Applicants must have demonstrable experience of working as a Senior/Sole Gardener on private estates to be considered for this position.  The ability to work with Landscape Architects, other consultants and landscape contractors is essential.  Applicants must have excellent communication skills, the ability to plan and implement projects, excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and be self-motivated as they will be working largely by themselves once the garden is completed. 

As the Sole Gardener, excellent plant knowledge and creative use of plants is required, as is an ability to maintain the garden to a high standard, maintain excellent standards of health and safety, operate garden machinery and to adhere to the aims of the client.  A proven ability and understanding of turf management is also necessary.

Suitable candidates should hold a recognised academic horticultural qualification at Level 3 or above and/or extensive experience at Senior/Sole Gardener level on horticulturally-diverse private estates.  Candidates with a background, qualifications and/or experience in garden design (in addition to hands-on garden management) are also encouraged to apply.  Possession of spray certificates (PA1/PA6) would be beneficial.  The successful applicant will be expected to liaise with the Landscape Architect team and property owners on a regular basis in order to assure continued and efficient implementation of garden renovations, and of day-to-day maintenance.

SALARY:        £35,000 - £40,000 DOE  (Live out)

LOCATION:    Oxfordshire

JOB No:          EC5831

If this Sole Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Mark Read on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

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.