Junior Gardener – Career Development Opportunity
Private Family Garden – North Cotswolds
Full-time | Permanent
An Exceptional Opportunity
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Junior Gardener to join our small horticultural team in a beautiful private family garden in the North Cotswolds.
This is an exceptional opportunity for someone at the beginning of their horticultural career who wishes to develop outstanding practical skills while working alongside an experienced Head Gardener in a creative and supportive environment.
The garden is continually evolving, combining strong structural planting with naturalistic herbaceous borders, ornamental lawns, productive areas and seasonal displays. Every part of the garden is cared for with attention to detail, curiosity and a commitment to horticultural excellence.
As a Junior Gardener, you will play an active role in both the day-to-day care of the garden and its long-term development. You will be encouraged to broaden your plant knowledge, develop practical skills and take increasing responsibility as your experience grows.
This is a rare opportunity to learn within a private family garden where quality, craftsmanship and continual improvement are valued above speed, and where genuine enthusiasm for horticulture is recognised and encouraged.
The Role
· Assist with the maintenance and development of ornamental gardens, herbaceous borders, lawns and productive areas.
· Carry out planting, weeding, mulching, edging and seasonal bed preparation.
· Maintain shrubs, hedges, climbers and small trees.
· Assist with propagation, nursery and glasshouse work where required.
· Support composting, soil improvement and irrigation.
· Safely operate and maintain horticultural machinery and hand tools.
· Monitor plant health and help maintain exceptional standards throughout the garden.
What You'll Learn
· Herbaceous border management and seasonal planting
· Plant identification and cultivation
· Soil health, composting and mulching
· Lawn care and fine horticultural presentation
· Pruning shrubs, climbers and ornamental trees
· Propagation and nursery techniques
· Glasshouse cultivation
· Safe operation and maintenance of horticultural machinery
· Planning and carrying out seasonal garden tasks
· Working to the high standards expected within a private family garden
About You
We are seeking an individual with a genuine enthusiasm for horticulture and a commitment to working to consistently high standards. The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, take pride in the quality of their work, and be motivated to develop their practical skills and plant knowledge.
You will be reliable, physically fit, conscientious and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a small team. A positive attitude, willingness to learn and an appreciation of the discretion required when working within a private family garden are essential.
Essential
· Genuine enthusiasm for horticulture
· Practical gardening experience or a relevant horticultural qualification
· Ability to work outdoors throughout the year
· Reliable, hardworking and keen to learn
Desirable
· RHS Level 2 (or working towards)
· Plant identification skills
· Propagation experience
· Full UK driving licence
· Experience using horticultural machinery
Terms & Benefits
Salary: Competitive, dependent on qualifications and experience.
Hours of Work:
40 hours per week
Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.30pm (including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break).
Some flexibility may occasionally be required to support seasonal priorities or garden events.
Holiday: Four weeks' annual leave plus statutory Bank Holidays.
Pension: NEST workplace pension.
Location: Private Family Garden, North Cotswolds.
Reports to: Head Gardener.
Probationary Period: Three months.
Start Date: By mutual agreement.
Apply
Please send your CV together with a short covering letter explaining why the role interests you and how your experience makes you suitable for the position.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Graduate
Pay: £24,000.00-£25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Do you have experience of maintaining formal perennial planting schemes?
Experience:
- Gardening: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
