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Head Gardener

Employer
Denmans Garden.
Location
Fontwell, Arundel
Salary
£35k - £45k depending on immediate suitability
Closing date
20 Jan 2023

Head Gardener

Job summary

Denmans Garden, a 5 acre iconic post-war garden in West Sussex, was started by Joyce Robinson (1903-1996) in the early 1950s.  She created extensive gravel gardens here between 1970-1979, inspired by a trip to Delos including two dry-riverbeds, her interpretation of the winterbourne rivers of the South Downs.  A brilliant horticulturalist, Mrs. Robinson’s ethos was rooted in ecology, nature, plant associations, and practicality.

John Brookes MBE, one of Britain’s most influential landscape designers, first visited the garden in 1973 and was intrigued by Mrs. Robinson’s pioneering and large-scale use of gravel and naturalistic planting, unique at the time.  He moved his practice to Denmans in 1980, started the Clock House School of Garden Design, took over management of the garden, and used the garden as classroom, showpiece, and laboratory.  Over the years, he retained the garden’s key features, while reworking its lines, and adding plantings, sculpture, ponds, semi-tropical plants, and his iconic blue benches.  

The garden also features a walled garden, ponds, a small meadow, woodland, and a conservatory.  A 1/7-acre Dutch light greenhouse houses mature tender plants and is used for plant propagation for sale.  Open to the public year-round, the 4-acre garden is a stunning year-round garden that has been under extensive restoration since the end of 2017.  Registered a Grade II Garden in 2020, it is an RHS Partner Garden, included in the NGS Partner Garden Scheme, and won gold in the 2021 and 2022 South and South East in Bloom Competitions.  The garden is managed in accordance with the long-standing ethos of both Joyce Robinson and John Brookes MBE. Current efforts are focused on restoration, increasing drought tolerance, and enhancing biodiversity while adhering to the principles and teachings of Denmans creators.

The overall role of Head Gardener role includes:

  • Learning, understanding, applying, and teaching the garden’s history and long-standing ethos as developed by Joyce Robinson and John Brookes. Acting as an ambassador of the garden and its history in public situations Networking with other gardeners The overall maintenance of Gardens, Conservatory, Dutch lights, Pond, Plant Lot and general grounds to the highest standards reflecting a sense of pride and ownership of task. Maintenance and plantings surrounding the café and gift shop. Supervise plant propagation for sale and for use in the garden using best horticultural practices Supervision of volunteers and gardeners, creating a close-knit team Coordinating with garden manager and administrative staff.

Qualifications

  1. Qualified PA1 and PA6 spray operator or willingness to take the PA1 and PA6 qualifications and to embrace IPM with biologicals and to learn/understand the balance. Knowledge / Experience of Pests, Pest Control, IPM (Essential) and experience in co-ordinating and carrying out in practise good pest control regimes according to best horticultural practices Have a NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Horticulture Have at least 5 years of experience in gardening and horticulture Have experience working in a supervisory role Can and is prepared to use and maintain horticultural machinery including small chainsaws, blowers, pruners, diggers etc

Other considerations.

Must have knowledge and understanding of lawn care and maintenance, ground preparation, composting, mulching seasonal planting including planters and tubs, weeding, irrigation maintenance, drought management, pruning (including fruit trees), pond and aquatic plant management Must have knowledge of best irrigation and watering practices Must have good knowledge of health and safety. Must have broad horticultural and plant identification knowledge and the willingness to learn the requirements of unusual plants such as those found at Denmans. Must have experience with identifying pest and diseases Must have a good understanding of organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices and be willing to remain current on these and related matters Experience with managing greenhouses and conservatories preferable Must be willing to undergo additional training if necessary Must have experience and understanding of garden design Experience creating seasonal displays preferable

Have experience working in an historic garden with an open mind to developing knowledge of how and why Denmans works as a garden and be willing fully to embrace and study the full history of the garden Willing to pass on knowledge of the garden and its history to existing and new volunteers to establish a continuation of the garden being maintained/developed in the manner of keeping that is Denmans. Must have experience maintaining gardens to the highest standard reflecting a sense of pride and ownership. Must have a love of plants and gardens and a desire to learn and develop. Must have an understanding of how to increase biodiversity. Must be self-motivated and able to motivate other team members. Must be punctual and tidy in appearance. Must have good communication skills and be comfortable speaking to small groups; a willing to teach is preferable

Must be happy working near and engaging with garden visitors. Must be able to write and communicate clearly and be willing to write occasional blogs for the website and periodicals like the RHS Magazine Must be able to create and execute realistic and efficient overall plans for work over a 12-month period Must directly be willing to work with all members of the Denmans Team, and to report to the General Manager and others as per Staff Handbook. Must be experienced and very organized at developing a rota for staff and volunteers. Must be able to guide and lead a growing team of volunteers Must be willing to find, recruit, and work with outside contractors as needed Must be fit, strong, and healthy. Must demonstrate flexibility and willingness to help carry out all work requirements as needed. Must be flexible in working hours as maybe required seasonally, including weekends. Must be able to keep garden records and detailed information about garden activities and developments for future generations Must have a full, UK driving license; proof of any machinery tickets held will need to be provided. Must be self-motivated with a good work ethic and be willing to show initiative Must be able to work as part of a team as well as independently and have good interpersonal and communication skills, excellent time management and organisational skills, a can-do attitude with a flexible approach to work and an exceptional ability to prioritise tasks Must have a good basic education with GCSEs (or the equivalent) including English and Maths and be able to use a computer, Word, Excel.  Must be willing to work outdoors in most weather conditions and undertake manual physical work

Work Hours / environment

  1. The position is for 40hrs per week, with one paid and one unpaid 30 minute break when working more than 6hrs consecutively  Seasonable adjustable days/hours including, if necessary, weekend cover.
  2. Salary of £35k - £40k depending on experience and immediate suitability.
  3. 28 days holiday per year including Bank Holidays
  4. Up to 10% matched pension contributions.

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