Horticultural Gardener – Wildbunch Wildpatch

Part-time | Approximately 16 hours per week | Hampshire

Wildbunch Florists is looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and practical horticultural gardener to take responsibility for the ongoing care and development of our Wildpatch.

The Wildpatch is a growing horticultural project connected to our floristry business. It combines naturalistic and wildlife-friendly planting with flowers and foliage grown for cutting, and we're developing it into a beautiful, productive and inspiring space.

This isn't simply a garden maintenance role. We're looking for someone who loves plants and enjoys growing, developing and improving a garden over time.

The role

You will be responsible for the day-to-day care and development of the Wildpatch, working alongside us to develop its planting and character.

Your work will include:

• General garden and border maintenance
• Weeding and keeping planting areas well maintained
• Planting bulbs, perennials, annuals and other seasonal plants
• Preparing beds and improving planting areas
• Propagating and dividing plants
• Pruning and cutting back
• Meadow and naturalistic planting management
• Collecting seed and developing plants for future seasons
• Growing flowers and foliage suitable for floristry
• Identifying and managing common plant pests and diseases
• Supporting the development of new planting schemes
• Maintaining paths, beds and general presentation
• Helping to keep the Wildpatch looking beautiful throughout the year
• Planning seasonal work and anticipating what needs doing next

The seasons

The workload will naturally change throughout the year.

There will be plenty to do during the growing season, but winter will be an important time for planting, pruning, preparation, propagation, soil improvement, cutting back, maintenance and planning for the following year.

We are therefore looking for someone who enjoys the full gardening year rather than someone who only wants to work during the spring and summer.

The role will be approximately 16 hours per week on average, with some flexibility around seasonal requirements.

About you

We're looking for someone who:

• Has good practical horticultural knowledge and experience
• Is genuinely passionate about plants
• Takes pride in creating and maintaining beautiful planting
• Can work independently and use their initiative
• Is observant and able to spot problems before they become serious
• Enjoys naturalistic and wildlife-friendly gardening
• Has an interest in growing plants for cutting and floristry
• Is happy getting stuck into practical gardening work
• Can plan their own workload and manage seasonal priorities
• Is keen to contribute ideas rather than simply follow instructions

A formal horticultural qualification would be an advantage, but practical experience, plant knowledge and enthusiasm are just as important to us.

What we can offer

• Approximately 16 hours per week
• Flexible seasonal working
• A varied and interesting horticultural project
• The opportunity to have genuine input into the development of the Wildpatch
• A role where your plant knowledge and ideas will be valued
• The opportunity to work alongside a floristry business and see flowers and foliage you've grown used creatively

Pay: Dependent on experience and horticultural knowledge.

If you are someone who gets excited about plants, loves seeing a garden develop and would enjoy taking real ownership of a special horticultural project, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send us a short introduction telling us about your gardening experience and what particularly interests you about the role, together with details of your previous horticultural work to juliet@wildbunchflorists.co.uk