Head/Senior Gardener - Ref 1364 Date: November 1, 2024

Head/Senior Gardener

We are looking to appoint an experienced Head/Senior Gardener to maintain and develop the beautiful gardens of a privately owned estate located in rural North Devon. This is a rare opportunity to work in a private family environment, focusing on the ornamental and vegetable gardens. This role forms an integral part of a highly experienced and friendly estate team.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, genuinely passionate about gardening in all of its aspects, has a detailed plant knowledge and experienced horticultural skills. The successful applicant will enjoy using their knowledge and experience to increase horticultural standards and will be willing to work alongside and, at times, be able to supervise other members of the team in garden projects and general maintenance.

Responsibilities:

· Development, management and maintenance of ornamental and vegetable gardens

· Planting and care of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, perennials, bulbs and annuals

· Plant layout and bed design

· Pot design and planting

· Deciduous hedge cutting

· Plant propagation and production

· Weed/pest disease control

· Leaf, litter and debris clearing

· Supervision and motivation of others

· Sourcing and ordering of plants

· Floral arrangements and pot plants for the house

· General lawn care

· Using appropriate machinery within safe working practices

Experience:

· Highly experienced individual with either; RHS Level 2 and preferably Level 3, National Diploma (or equivalent) or a minimum of five years’ experience working in a professional horticultural environment

· PA1/PA6 spraying

· Excellent plant knowledge

· Experience with vegetables/cut flowers/pot plants

· Experience with roses

· Experience with orchards and fruit trees

· Knowledge of working with trees, shrubs, herbaceous, perennials and bulbs

· Lawn care experience

· Plant production experience/glasshouses

· Summer/winter bedding scheme

The family has created a special place to work, where everyone on the team works together to maintain the high standards required and where everyone is genuinely appreciated. The hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Due to the rural location, the successful candidate will need to drive and have their own transport.

This job description is designed to outline the main duties and responsibilities associated with the role and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties performed

Please apply with CV TO louise.folland@castlecap.co.uk