Job Title: Full Time Senior Gardener progressing to Assistant Head Gardener
start date January 2025
Bloom Nurseries in Bressingham, Norfolk are looking for a senior gardener for Adrian Bloom’s world renowned garden, Foggy Bottom, to undertake all aspects of gardening and garden maintenance, with ongoing exciting new projects and ever evolving plant beds. From weeding to edging, planting to pruning, tree care to pest control.
Must have PA1 and PA6 spray tickets.
Experience in maintenance on buildings, fences and machinery, is a big bonus.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The world renowned Foggy Bottom Garden at Bressingham, near Diss in South Norfolk, consists of a 6 acre All-season garden with famous conifer and mature trees, inspiring perennial borders, a pond and a work in progress Japanese garden, laid out in the 1960s and ever evolving. The surrounding 10 acre gardens, which include the Grade II listed Georgian manor house – Bressingham Hall, are partly curated with Alan Bloom’s original plant collections, there is a North American wood, some wild flower meadows with glamping tents.
Still owned by Bloom Nurseries, the gardens are visited by 65,000 visitors each year.
Bressingham Hall is a holiday let. Foggy Bottom is owned by Adrian Bloom, and hosts his family house where he still lives.
Job Title: Full Time Senior Gardener – progressing to Assistant Head Gardener.
Reporting on a daily basis to Adrian Bloom.
Salary: from £25 K commensurate with experience.
Hours: 39 hours per week, pension, holiday and sick pay, Garden and Steam Museum Family seasonal passes as a benefit.
Ability & willingness to work weekends, bank holidays & event days essential, when necessary.
Job Description
To work with the Head Gardener, Garden Team and Volunteers, taking an active role in the presentation, diverse work programme and ongoing development of the gardens. To maintain a sympathetic, creative and beautiful garden in the Bloom tradition, for visitors to enjoy, ensuring best possible experience for all parties. You will be flexible and sensitive in respecting Bressingham Gardens traditions and have the imagination to retain and adapt these as necessary.
As a Senior Gardener you will be asked to manage specific areas of the garden, ensuring the health and conservation of valuable plant collections. Coupled with strong horticultural discipline, you will, in conjunction with Adrian Bloom, develop and implement creative and artistic planting schemes which are sympathetic to the garden’s unique style.
You will also be willing to work with the whole Garden team, in areas other than those you specifically manage, whenever required. You will fulfil a supporting role for the Head Gardener in developing and managing the Garden Team, including seasonal staff and volunteers. You will also assist in interpreting the garden to visitors through garden tours, and occasionally giving talks and lectures to local horticultural societies.
With a flexible and positive approach to work, you will have the ability to work and communicate as part of a team but also to work on your own initiative.
You will assist with the implementation of sound Health and Safety practice, and machinery and equipment maintenance. You will be willing to undertake other tasks commensurate with the post.
Person Specification – Knowledge, Skills, Attributes and Experience Required
Essential Requirements
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Relevant horticultural qualification (City & Guilds in Ornamental/Amenity Horticulture Level 3 or equivalent) with a minimum of three years of relevant experience in a heritage garden or recognised horticultural establishment.
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Good plant knowledge and management of plants in the garden landscape.
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Extensive knowledge of horticulture and arboriculture principles and practices, including the use of garden equipment/machinery.
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A strong sense of aesthetics.
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A good eye for detail and a strong sense of garden presentation.
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A confident and engaging communicator willing to address varied audiences including visitors of all ages, groups and fellow team members including staff, volunteers and directors.
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Ability to manage volunteers and a diverse team of people.
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Excellent time management skills.
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A team player, able to work flexibly and positively with others.
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Commitment to achieving standards of excellence.
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Proven organisational skills.
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Able to work independently and reliably with minimal supervision.
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PA1 & PA6 certificates.
Desirable Requirements
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Practical skills in basic building, fencing and machinery maintenance.
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Experience of presenting information to groups through public speaking.
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Computer skills – internet, emails, spreadsheets, social media.
Other Requirements:
Willingness to occasionally work weekends if needed – Essential
Flexibility in agreeing hours / days to mutual benefit – Essential
To apply, please email a CV and covering letter to erica@bressinghamgardens.com
