Skilled Gardener - Live Out - EC7962

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Skilled Gardener to join a team of 4 skilled gardeners reporting into the Head Gardener to maintain the beautiful 5-acre walled garden, glasshouses and private family garden that is surrounded by traditional parkland. The Estate is 12 miles from the stunning north Norfolk coast, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with saltmarshes teaming with birdlife and some of the most impressive beaches in the country. There is a vibrant local producer foodie community with farmers markets and events throughout the year.

In 1991, the owner set about creating a new area within the walls of the old kitchen garden as a memorial. With help from the then head gardener and – later – award winning designers, the space was divided into several contrasting ‘ornamental gardens.’ These include a spectacular 120-metre-long, 7-metre-deep double-sided herbaceous border which forms the centre piece of the garden, an Italian garden, a formal rose parterre, fruit and vegetable gardens, a glasshouse, a rustic temple, antique statues, fountains and contemporary sculptures. The walled garden is open to the public over the summer months.

The skilled gardeners as a team will be responsible for the maintenance of the garden to a high horticultural standard and ensure the level of maintenance is exemplary year-round. He / She will be a proactive member of the garden team, willing to work in all weathers and to turn their hand to a variety of tasks. Weekend work will be required on a rota basis to ensure the walled garden, the glasshouses and private family garden are watered and tended to as necessary.

The successful applicant will ideally hold a recognised horticultural qualification and practical experience in horticultural techniques. Experience of working in an historic garden open to the public and proven hands on experience and knowledge in the care of unusual mature houseplants and orchids grown under glass is required. As well as experience of managing and maintaining extensive traditional herbaceous borders throughout the year, hands on experience of pruning and caring for trained fruit, pruning and caring for roses and lawncare.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence. Excellent plant knowledge and a genuine passion for horticulture are essential, as are excellent time management skills, a keen eye for detail, a good level of physical fitness. Experience in the use of a wide range of specialist equipment and machinery is an advantage.

Much of the planting in the walled garden is in need of sympathetic rejuvenation in collaboration with the owners. The role of Skilled Gardener will suit an experienced, energetic and proactive team player who enjoys realising and maintaining the vision of others.

A generous salary is provided for the successful candidate and includes pension, private health cover and death in service cover. Accommodation could be available at a concessionary rent.

SALARY:        Circa £22,000

LOCATION: North Norfolk

JOB No:          EC7962

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

Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Skilled 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 Skilled Gardener vacancy will have been unsuccessful.