Head Gardener

Head Gardener sought for a wonderful and important garden created by the late Lady Lavina Cholmondeley from the 1950s onwards, with continuing development by her son, the current owner of The Cholmondeley Estate. This plantsperson’s garden comprises 100 acres surrounding Cholmondeley Castle, featuring formal and informal borders, meadows, an arboretum, and taxonomically important collections of woody plants including Magnolia, Rhododendron, Camellia, and Cornus.

The garden includes the Temple and Folly water gardens, a 100m long double herbaceous border, two rose gardens, a spring garden, stream, woodland garden, private gardens, a glasshouse, and kitchen garden.

The garden has undergone significant transformation over the past 12 years with many new features and plantings added, extending the seasons and increasing public engagement. The gardens open season typically runs from March through to October. For more information, see www.cholmondeleycastle.com.

The Head Gardener will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the gardens and compiling monthly reports to ensure excellent standards of horticultural husbandry and plantsmanship are employed year-round. The Head Gardener will be assisted by a garden team of 4 full-time staff and volunteers and will supervise staff, contractors, and volunteers, including recruitment, training, development, and rostering of staff including weekends. A good understanding of health and safety legislation is important to ensure compliance.

The successful candidate will ideally hold horticultural qualifications such as an RHS level 3 practical / HND / Degree in horticulture / landscape management or equivalent, along with practical experience in horticultural techniques. Experience of working in a historic garden open to the public would be an advantage. Applicants will have proven inspirational leadership experience and the ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure. Excellent communication, presentation, and administrative skills are vital for the role, as well as proven hands-on experience and knowledge.

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence. Excellent plant knowledge and a genuine passion for horticulture are essential, as are time and staff management skills, a keen eye for detail, good physical fitness, and a willingness to work in all weather conditions. A good understanding and ability to use a wide range of specialist equipment and machinery, including management and maintenance thereof, is an advantage.

A generous salary is provided for the successful candidate, including a generous pension, private health cover, and death in service cover. If required, accommodation could be available at a concessionary rent.

The role of Head Gardener will suit a skilled, experienced, energetic, and proactive team player who enjoys realising and maintaining the vision of others. Public engagement, specialist tours, event planning, and a willingness to engage with social media will be required.

SALARY: circa £40,000 DOE (+ potential of accommodation with a rent payable)

LOCATION: Cholmondeley, Cheshire

JOB No: EC65331

If this Head Gardener vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Jay Rimell on 01233 733510 or info@englishcountrygardeners.co.uk.

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Thank you for your interest in this Head Gardener vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications 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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