An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and hands-on Senior Gardener to work closely alongside the owners, gardening team, and wider estate team to maintain the stunning gardens set within a historic estate in Cambridgeshire. The Senior Gardener will be an integral part of the estate team, being reliable and enthusiastic while implementing their strong knowledge across the ever-developing and progressing gardens.
The garden comprises 25 acres of historical parkland with gardens laid out 20 years ago boasting extensive views of the surrounding countryside. There are peony gardens, formal rose gardens, mixed herbaceous and shrub borders, formal lawns and hedges, extensive herbaceous borders, cut flower and vegetable garden, polytunnel, and greenhouse. A large collection of bulbs is planted throughout the historic landscape, with Galanthus, Camassias, and Narcissus. A busy garden which has various aspects to it, although only 20 years old, the garden is now reaching its maturity, and it continues to develop and evolve. There’s also a secret garden with striking Himalayan Birch trees, summer garden, pleached hornbeams, clipped ornamental hawthorns that line the paths, vast terracotta pots filled with topiary and scented shrubs, as well as extensive yew hedge. There are ornamental ponds, vast parkland, and a 6-acre memorial meadow planted with fruit trees and naturalised drifts of bulbs. In addition, the estate is developing a pinetum to accompany a young arboretum, and a variety of mature formal hedging surrounding the main house. Working with the Family, alongside the small team and other members of staff on the estate, the garden forms a wonderful setting for the private home at its centre.
A good knowledge of compact tractors, implements, pedestrian mowers, and handheld machinery is desirable in this role. PA1 and PA6 spray certification is essential, with a recognised horticultural qualification advantageous. Knowledge of automatic irrigation systems and cylinder mowers would be advantageous, as would chainsaw certification, although contractors are used for larger tree works. Propagation and cultivation of ornamental and edible plants, as well as knowledge of division of herbaceous perennials and pruning of a wide array of shrubs and trees, is needed.
The candidate will need an eye for detail and the will to constantly improve the garden in its next chapter for a passionate horticultural family. This role would suit someone who is looking to care for and nurture this special garden, developing it further to carry on the forward trajectory of it. The owners are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable individual who has experience within a similar setting maintaining gardens to the highest of standards. Applicants should take pride in their work and demonstrate a passion for horticulture.
The gardens open each year for various events, raising impressive funds for charity through admissions, food, plant, and craft sales. The horticultural team assists with these events acting as ambassadors for the gardens and showcasing their hard work. Therefore, it is asked that the successful candidate will assist with these openings, working an additional two Sundays per year.
Regular working hours for the position are Monday to Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm, with a 30-minute paid morning break and a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Holiday entitlement will be 24 days + Bank Holidays.
Please note, the successful candidate will be subject to extensive reference checks, both written and verbal.
SALARY: Up to £36,000 DOE
LOCATION: Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
JOB No: EC67064
If this Senior Gardener is of interest, please click ‘Apply for job’ below or contact Sophie Sharpe on 01233 733510 or email info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this 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 vacancy has been unsuccessful.
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Tagged as: Cambridgeshire, full time, Live Out, Newmarket, Senior Gardener
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