Starting pay: $35/hour

Position Summary: The Fine Gardener is responsible for the skilled, detail-oriented care of established residential gardens. This role is ideal for a gardener with solid hands-on experience, strong plant knowledge, and the judgment to identify what a garden needs throughout the seasons.

You will perform and help coordinate horticultural maintenance to a high aesthetic standard. Depending on experience, you may also guide Garden Assistants, communicate with clients on site, and help plan weekly and seasonal priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess garden conditions and complete maintenance with limited supervision

• Prune ornamental shrubs, small trees, vines, roses, and perennials using plant-appropriate techniques and timing

• Identify common ornamental plants, weeds, pests, diseases, and signs of environmental stress

• Deadhead, divide, transplant, stake, train, and support plants as needed

• Plant and lay out annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and seasonal displays

• Monitor soil moisture and irrigation performance and report or address issues within the role’s scope

• Improve soil and apply compost, mulch, and amendments appropriately

• Maintain crisp bed edges, clean work areas, and the overall visual finish expected in fine gardens

• Help establish weekly, monthly, and seasonal garden priorities

• Keep accurate notes about completed work, plant concerns, and follow-up needs

• Use, maintain, and store hand tools and power equipment safely

• Support and guide Garden Assistants while modeling efficient, careful work

• Communicate professionally with clients, coworkers, and supervisors

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of professional gardening, horticulture, estate gardening, nursery, or closely related experience

• Working knowledge of ornamental plants and seasonally appropriate care

• Demonstrated pruning skills and sound horticultural judgment

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative crew and know when to seek additional expertise

• Excellent observation, organization, and attention to detail

• Professional, respectful communication and client-service skills

• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions

• Ability to perform active physical work, including bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods. Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation to and from client properties.

Starting pay: $45/hour

Position summary: Lead Gardener oversees the horticultural care and presentation of a portfolio of fine residential gardens. This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced gardener who combines advanced plant knowledge with sound judgment, excellent organization, and the ability to guide a small crew.

You will set daily and seasonal priorities, perform skilled garden work, uphold high standards across each property, and serve as a trusted point of contact for clients and company leadership. The right candidate notices subtle changes in a garden, anticipates what needs attention, and helps the team work thoughtfully, safely, and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take primary responsibility for the health, care, and visual quality of assigned gardens

• Assess each property and create clear daily, weekly, and seasonal work priorities

• Lead on-site crews, assign tasks, communicate expectations, and check completed work

• Train and mentor Fine Gardeners and Garden Assistants in plant care, pruning, tool use, and site standards

• Perform and oversee skilled pruning of ornamental shrubs, small trees, vines, roses, and perennials

• Identify ornamental plants, weeds, pests, diseases, nutrient issues, and environmental stress, and recommend appropriate next steps

• Plan and oversee planting, transplanting, division, staking, soil improvement, mulching, and seasonal displays

• Maintain garden records, plant notes, task lists, and follow-up recommendations

• Estimate labor and materials for routine enhancements and special garden projects

• Coordinate tools, materials, plant deliveries, and debris removal for efficient workdays

• Communicate professionally with clients about completed work, garden observations, priorities, and approved recommendations

• Enforce safe work practices and ensure that tools, equipment, vehicles, and work areas are properly maintained

• Support scheduling, quality control, and team development in partnership with the owner

Qualifications:

• 4+ years of professional fine gardening, estate gardening, horticulture, or closely related experience.

  • Certified Professional Horticulturist certification (WSNLA) required

  • Master Pruner certification (Plant Amnesty) required

• Strong knowledge of ornamental plants and seasonally appropriate garden care

• Advanced pruning skills and the judgment to choose appropriate techniques and timing

• Demonstrated ability to organize work, set priorities, and lead a small crew

• Ability to diagnose common plant health concerns and recommend responsible solutions within the role’s scope

• Strong written and verbal communication, including confident and courteous client interaction

• Excellent attention to detail and a consistent commitment to high-quality work

• Ability to work independently, make sound field decisions, and know when to seek additional expertise

• Comfort using digital schedules, work notes, email, or garden-management software

• Comfort working outdoors in all weather conditions

• Ability to perform active physical work, including bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, and standing for extended periods. Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation to and from client properties.