Head Gardener, Fron Heulog Estate

HEAD GARDENER 

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 Fron Heulog Estate

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The role is for Head Gardener to manage the garden and surrounding ancient woodland for the 58 acre Fron Heulog Estate, Llandderfel, which is situated on the edge of the Berwyn Mountain range overlooking the Dee Valley.  Designed by internationally renowned garden designer Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd, the gardens offer an exciting opportunity for someone keen to work with the team, to continue to implement the design, manage their ongoing care, development and long-term future. A Georgian House sits at the centre of the estate, dating from 1815 (Grade II Listed) surrounded by formal ornamental gardens, a large, productive, walled kitchen garden, ancient woodland and pasture. In additional other ornamental gardens continue to evolve around the estate’s stable area, cottage and lodge. A Hartley Botanic Greenhouse (8.5 m long x 4.5 m wide) and three cold frames have been added, together with a service area comprising of the Estate Office, Kitchen, large shed with the addition of a prep kitchen, and a second shed for tractors, machinery and tools, a keder house, significant compost bins and various additional utility buildings including a potting shed, fungi house, wets storage area and small shed for chemicals. Steps leading up from the courtyard in the Northwest corner lead to an area which was once a Georgian swimming pool but is now being treated as a wildlife haven and a home for newts. To the east of the main house, two octagonal hedged spaces frame the front forecourt of the house, and which allow distant views over the immediate planting and lawns to the Dee Valley. These areas include planted beds, swathes of long grass with bulbs and wildflowers to link the individual areas seamlessly in a cohesive manner. Once the gardens are established then various shrub planting will take place where allowed within the surrounding woodland to include flowering shrubs and native trees. The gardens also include a small courtyard garden to the rear of the main house, and two cottage gardens. The Head Gardener will be responsible for the gardening team and the entirety of all gardens, woodlands and composting. The estate is widely spread. The main drive is half a mile in length and contains trees and shrubs. There is an orchard, formal and informal lawns, topiary and hedges, seasonal bulbs, and meadows. The wider estate contains a significant ancient woodland SSSI. There is an aspiration to hold a national plant collection, and to open the garden occasionally in support of the local community as well as a number of other community outreach initiatives.

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We are looking for someone who might already be an established Head Gardener, or one that has yet to show their full potential. They should have a Level 3 horticultural qualification, very practical experience, have demonstrated in interest and commitment in managing people, enjoys the breadth of ornamental, productive and woodland responsibility, has energy and optimism about what else could be possible, and who will hopefully stay with us long term.

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The Head Gardener will be responsible for the overall direction, maintenance and operation of the garden and the team. This will include supporting the implementation of the areas designed by Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd and her team and overseeing the work delivered by contractors. We are keen to find someone who understands and embraces what a great opportunity it is to work with such a world-leading garden design team.Interest in motivating people, training and development, and certainly personal growth in the role would also be key.

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To be successful in the role, we are looking for a positive, committed and enthusiastic individual who is a natural leader with the ability to motivate, support, train and manage a garden team effectively. A confident communicator with an open,  friendly and approachable manner, the successful candidate will bring energy, initiative and a collaborative approach to the role and will be keen to make their mark on the garden. Alongside strong leadership and organisational skills, they will be a knowledgeable plantsperson, with a genuine passion for horticulture, a good eye for detail and the practical experience to maintain and develop the garden to a high standard. A keen interest in, or knowledge of, productive and kitchen gardens would also be highly desirable. We are not excpecting the candidate to excel in all areas, but we do want someone who wants to bring a team of specialists together, with common values and a shared oal, who can. The role will be hands-on, supported by a Deputy Head Gardener, Kitchen Gardener  and a team of three gardeners, alongside contractors and seasonal support or additional staff as required. Fron Heulog operates with strong ecological principles, a primarily ‘no-dig’ philosophy and a keen to desire to support life long learning and personal development for staff. It is a flexible working employer.

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Salary/Package

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Salary is negotiable for the right candidate with suitable qualifications, experience and potential; circa £41,000 - £55,000 per annum, guided by Professional Gardeners Guild salary recommendations and dependent on experience and suitability.

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The package also includes private healthcare, pension, 25 days paid holiday plus statutory bank holidays p.a. and a flexible 37-hour working week.

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Accommodation could potentially be available.

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Email - nationalgardensspecialist@gmail.com With introduction letter and CV.