Horticulturist

Hampshire County Council; Romsey; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is seeking an experienced Horticulturist to join their dedicated team at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. The role involves maintaining garden landscapes, engaging with visitors, and ensuring an operational role across various areas. Ideal candidates should have strong plant knowledge, a recognized horticulturist qualification, and be physically fit for outdoor tasks. This position requires strong teamwork and excellent communication skills, along with some weekend work. A flexible workplace that promotes growth is offered.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Interest-free travel loans and discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in a public or private garden is preferred.
• Ability to manage workload and coordinate tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Perform general garden maintenance, seasonal pruning, and planting.
• Coordinate public tours and workshops for visitors.

Skills

Strong plant knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Team player

Physical fitness for outdoor work

Education

Recognised horticulturist qualification

Job description

Horticulturist

Job Reference: HCC622904
Salary Range: £25,186 - £26,244 per annum
Work Location: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 15 February 2026
Interview Date: 26 February 2026

Exciting opportunities at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Are you passionate about horticulture and eager to work in one of the award‑winning gardens in the UK? We’re offering an exciting opportunity to become part of a dedicated team of enthusiastic horticulturists at the world‑renowned Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire.

With 180 acres of stunning landscape, our Gardens, established in 1953, are not only a haven of natural beauty but also a dynamic outdoor classroom that inspires curiosity and learning. You’ll be working alongside professionals who share a deep passion for plants and the environment, contributing to one of the largest collections of temperate plants in the northern hemisphere—including 14 National Collections and over 600 Champion Trees.

Each year, over 300,000 visitors admire the work of our team, and your contributions will help shape their experience.

The Role:

Flexibility to work across the gardens within different areas.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for engaging with colleagues, students and visitors.

Strong team player with the ability to work independently, manage their own workload and plan and coordinate tasks effectively.

Candidates must be physically fit and capable of performing strenuous tasks in a demanding outdoor environment.

General garden maintenance, seasonal pruning and planting, plant after‑care and irrigation and plant recording.

Working closely with our visitors including public tours and workshops.

What you’ll do:

• Flexibility to work across the gardens within different areas.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for engaging with colleagues, students and visitors.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently, manage their own workload and plan and coordinate tasks effectively.
• Candidates must be physically fit and capable of performing strenuous tasks in a demanding outdoor environment.
• General garden maintenance, seasonal pruning and planting, plant after‑care and irrigation and plant recording.
• Working closely with our visitors including public tours and workshops.

What we’re looking for:

• Hands‑on gardening and an all‑weather approach will be part of your engaging nature.
• Holds a recognised horticulturist qualification.
• Strong plant knowledge.
• Previous experience in a public or private garden.
• A team player with excellent communication skills.
• This role does include some weekend work; you will be working 5 in 7 days.

Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi‑time scheme, family friendly policies and interest‑free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace.

We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.