Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621938
Salary Range: £25,186 - £26,244 per annum (actual salary £15,315 - £15,958 per annum)
Work Location: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey
Hours per week: 22.5
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 30 September 2025
Interview Date: 16 October 2025
The Role:
was established in 1964 by a keen plantsman. Conservation was, and is, central to the running of the Gardens- 180 acres of garden are open to the public to satisfy even the most inquisitive mind.
Hands-on gardening and an all-weather approach will be part of your engaging nature, where you will be rewarded by working amongst a plethora of plants from around the world. A keen and fun team is ready to welcome you to be part of the wider picture at the Gardens.
The successful candidate will be working with one of our dedicated teams across the gardens.
Please note: the role does include some weekend work, you will be working 5 in 7 days.
What you’ll do:
1. Assisting the senior horticulturist to lead and organising a small team of staff, students and volunteers- being able to make decisions
2. Maintaining the Gardens and its plant collection and influence and implementing given horticultural development plans to present the Gardens as a first class visitor and educational facility
3. In conjunction with and led by the Head Gardener, ensuring the highest standard of maintenance and presentation of the collections across the gardens
4. Ensuring optimum levels of routine maintenance to trees, shrubs and landscape areas
5. As required by the line manager and the garden to assist with all other aspects of garden maintenance (hard and soft landscaping)
What we’re looking for:
The ideal candidate will hold a recognised horticultural qualification or demonstrate substantial experience in horticulture, ornamentals, or amenity work. They will be a strong team player with the ability to work independently, manage their own workload, and plan and coordinate tasks effectively. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for engaging with colleagues, students, and visitors.
A keeness to learn new tasks, as well as applying horticultural knowledge to help in the day to day maintenance of the area is important, whislt good plant knowledge and an engaging mind towards nature are a prerequisite.
Candidates must be physically fit and capable of performing strenuous tasks in a demanding outdoor environment.
Why join us?
We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace, where talent is truly recognised and developed. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of and where you are empowered to be your best and believe in creating a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
To find out more about what we can offer you in return, please see our.
Additional Information:
Horticulturalist
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Franziska Clifton, Head Gardener on
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
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