Are you a well-trained and skilled horticulturalist, looking for a new challenge in garden- and team- management at one of the UK’s most unique horticultural projects? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the garden team here at Lowther Castle & Gardens. You will be arriving at a time when we are looking to implement the next 10 years of the master plan, created by internationally acclaimed landscape designer Dan Pearson. Alongside you will be helping to expand and fine-tune the areas that have been established over the past 10 years, such as Gardens-in-the-Ruins.

We are looking for a Senior Gardener who is passionate about horticulture and plants, can motivate and inspire confidence in the team and apply their technical knowledge and experience to lead the garden team day-to-day on different tasks throughout the gardening year.

LOWTHER CASTLE AND GARDENS

Lowther Castle & Gardens is a prizewinning visitor attraction with over 100,000 visitors annually. Castle ruins, 130 acres of extensive gardens, a permanent historical exhibition, a café, and a huge adventure playground are equally enjoyed by garden & landscape lovers, dog walkers, and families on a day out.

The Gardens today are unexpected. Under the guidance of internationally acclaimed landscape designer Dan Pearson, new gardens are appearing within the skeletons of the old. The lost romantic Edwardian pleasure gardens, the original 17^th century gardens, the castle ruins themselves – all these have become hosts to new contemporary designs. Dan Pearson’s masterplan was laid out in 2012. Ten years into this, we are at a point where we need to fine tune the plant collection and horticultural practices in these well-established areas: the Gardens-in-the-Ruins, Tapestry Parterre, South Lawns with its Wildflower Meadows, and Rose Garden; at the same time, we need to gather momentum in order to deliver the next phase of plans, for the Rock Garden, Japanese Garden and Sweet-Scented Garden. 

Our approach to the site and its historic features is considered and sympathetic. We are seeking to continue to keep the impetus of this unique horticultural project going, whilst creating one of the most popular visitor attractions in the northwest of the Lake District – a place that can be discovered and explored throughout the seasons.

Overview of Position 

As a senior gardener, you will work in partnership with the head gardener to assist with the management & development of the 130-acre gardens to a high standard of horticulture. As a key member of the gardens team, you will lead the running of the day-to-day operations to the best horticultural and safe working practices, in collaboration with the Head Gardener. You will have a leading role in the implementation of a range of hard and soft landscape projects. You will also take a leading role in the development and training of the team, including trainees and volunteers, and create an empowering learning environment and a great place to work.  

Main Duties

• Planning, allocation and supervision of day-to-day operations, in compliance with safe working practices
• Ensuring the gardens are maintained to a high standard and offer an excellent visitor experience
• With hands-on involvement, including using tractor & trailer, ride-on mowers, power-driven equipment and hand tools, participating in the maintenance and development of all garden areas
• Horticultural tasks including soil preparation, mulching, watering, weeding, pruning, propagation, planting, lawn maintenance, snow clearing and assisting in the upkeep of the woodlands within the gardens
• Provision of horticultural training and guidance in accordance with best practices
• Assistance with hard- and soft-landscaping tasks such as site preparation, installing & repairing pathways & edges and planting out woody & herbaceous plants of various sizes
• Overseeing & implementation of the health & safety policies and procedures within the garden
• Co-ordination of the maintenance, servicing and repairs of tools, power-driven equipment and garden machinery, including record keeping
• Supporting the development of the trainee programme and the advancement of the volunteer programme, including the day-to-day management of the volunteer scheme
• Deputising for the Head Gardener and delivering group garden tours

Experience, Skills & Qualifications*

• Trained as a professional gardener/ horticulturist with proven experience in maintaining a garden throughout the seasons
• Well-rounded understanding & experience of horticultural techniques, practices and good plant knowledge
• Proven competence in the safe use of gardening tools, power-driven equipment and machinery. 
• Confidence to interact with the visiting public and professionals
• Recognised horticultural qualification, RHS Level 3 or equivalent

*The full person specification for the Senior Gardener position is listed in the job description, found on our website under Lowther Jobs.