Head Gardener

ECG Limited; Pennington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A private garden management company is seeking an experienced Head Gardener to oversee a 3-acre coastal garden in Lymington. The ideal candidate will possess strong plant knowledge and leadership skills. Responsibilities include managing the garden, reporting progress, and collaborating with engaged owners. Salary ranges from £40,000 to £45,000 for full-time work, with part-time pro-rata options available.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a similar gardening environment.
• Ability to lead a small team.
• Commitment and passion for horticulture.

Responsibilities

• Manage and enhance the coastal garden.
• Create monthly and yearly reports for the garden.
• Communicate ideas and plans with the garden owners.

Skills

Strong plant knowledge

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Job description

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and passionate Head Gardener to take responsibility for the ongoing care of a beautifully designed 3-acre coastal garden, in Lymington, Hampshire. The Head Gardener will be responsible for the current Gardener who works 3 – 4 days per week.

This is a newly established private garden with a strong emphasis on planting design and horticultural quality. It has been created by the renowned Garden Designer, Justin Spink with passionate and engaged owners who have a particular interest in trees and shrubs.

The 3-acre garden offers a diverse and stimulating environment for an enthusiastic horticulturist. It includes a series of terraced areas planted with coastal species; a developing woodland garden rich in structure and seasonal interest; expansive lawns (a robot to cut the grass) and an established wildflower meadow; as well as features such as a swimming pool and tennis court.

The planting palette is extensive and includes an impressive and growing collection of trees and shrubs. The garden trees include species of Acer, Aesculus, Arbutus, Cedrus, Ginkgo, Nyssa, Magnolia, Metasequoia, Quercus, Sequoia, Taxodium, and Zelkova. The shrub layer is equally diverse, featuring structural evergreens and flowering interest throughout the year. Notable genera include Cornus, Cotinus, Hydrangea, Mahonia, Viburnum, Osmanthus, Phillyrea, Pittosporum, Rhododendron, and Stewartia. Herbaceous planting includes dramatic, architectural species such as Echium pininiana, Eryngium yuccifolium, Ferula communis, and Geranium x maderense, adding dynamic texture and seasonal displays across the garden.

The position offered is for a full time or four days per week experienced gardener and would suit a knowledgeable, self-motivated gardener with strong plant expertise, a keen interest in trees and shrubs, attention to detail, and the ability to lead others. The successful applicant will be responsible for the overall management and ongoing enhancement of the garden creating monthly and yearly reports for the garden, communicating ideas and plans with the owners. The ideal candidate will have strong plant knowledge and experience working in a similar setting and leading a small team.

This is a unique opportunity for someone with commitment, passion and long-term interest in looking to take custodianship of a young and ambitious garden and to help shape its evolution in partnership with engaged and supportive owners.

SALARY: £40,000 – £45,000 FT DOE (pro rata for part-time)

LOCATION: Lymington, Hampshire

JOB No: EC70040

If this vacancy is of interest, please apply below, call Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or email [e-mail]