Head Gardener

Landscaping Matters; Johannesburg; On-site; GBP 28 000 - 35 000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits a passionate Head Gardener to lead a dedicated team at a beautiful private estate. This role involves managing an expansive 8-acre garden, including herbaceous borders, a walled kitchen garden, and greenhouses. The ideal candidate will possess strong plant knowledge and excellent communication skills, ensuring the gardens are maintained to the highest standards. With a focus on creativity and team leadership, this position offers the chance to make a significant impact on the estate's landscape. Join a welcoming environment where your gardening expertise will flourish and be appreciated.

Benefits

Protective Clothing

21 Days Holiday

Bank Holidays

Qualifications

• Creative with a genuine passion for plants and gardening.
• Ability to manage a budget and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small team of garden staff.
• Develop and enhance gardens, including designing planting areas.
• Maintain all garden areas and manage external contractors.

Skills

Plant Knowledge

Communication Skills

Team Management

Budget Management

Practical Gardening Skills

Education

HNC in Horticulture

Tools

Garden Machinery

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a hands-on Head Gardener at Barkby Hall in Leicestershire.

The position is offered on a full-time basis to head a team who care for an 8-acre private garden, which has been the family home for many years.

The main garden features herbaceous borders, both formal and informal, a scented garden, white garden, shrubs, roses, ornamental trees, water features, and a large pond (maintained on contract).

Additionally, there is a woodland garden with rhododendrons, spring bulbs, and wildflowers.

There is a one and a half-acre walled kitchen garden and a walled cut flower garden with an extensive range of greenhouses housing collections of Camellias and Sarracenias.

The acre parkland is managed separately by estate staff.

The ideal candidate will be creative, possess good plant knowledge, excellent communication skills, and practical abilities, with a genuine passion for plants and gardening.

He or she should be hardworking, honest, and reliable.

Ability to manage a budget and supervise other staff or trainees is essential.

Appropriate training certificates are beneficial but not essential, as training can be provided.

The successful candidate will be able to:

• Lead, manage, and motivate a small team of garden staff
• Develop and enhance the gardens and grounds, including designing planting areas
• Maintain herbaceous borders, shrubberies, greenhouses, and all garden areas in coordination with the Family and their Agent
• Manage external contractors
• Ensure the gardens and grounds are kept tidy
• Operate and maintain typical garden machinery

The ideal candidate would have relevant experience and HNC or equivalent qualifications in Horticulture.

They should have a commitment to quality, strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks.

Salary: £28,000+ (depending on experience).

Protective clothing is supplied.

Holiday entitlement: 21 working days plus Bank Holidays.

The Estate complies with a Health and Safety Policy, which the successful candidate will be expected to follow.