Professional Work Placement; PWP in Ornamental Horticulture

Location:

RHS Garden Rosemoor
Salary: £23,810 per annum. The RHS ensure we pay all staff at or above the National Minimum Wage, which is reviewed annually by government

Reports to:

The Garden Manager and Team Leaders

Start Date:

September 2026. One year (fixed term)
Hours of work:
Full time (37.5 hours a week on a rota). The working pattern is 5 days in 7 so your full-time hours will include some weekend working

Are you enthusiastic about horticulture? Have you already completed (or are studying for) a Level 2 horticultural theory qualification and have at least 3 months practical experience? Are you interested in specialising and completing a Level 3 Award to further your career?

Our Professional Work Placement programme is a one-year paid work experience placement for horticulturists who wish to specialise. Applicants should have already completed (or be studying for) a Level 2 Horticultural theory qualification or apprenticeship standard and have 3 months (minimum) practical experience in the industry at application.

The placement provides the opportunity to spend a full year immersed in a particular garden department, studying a specific group of plants, garden practice or style whilst completing a Level 3 Award. You will gain knowledge, experience, skills and training in your specialism, in a work-based context, to prepare you for professional life in the industry.

This placement covers all aspects of Ornamental Horticulture across the garden, from stock production in the nursery through to enhancing and maintaining the spectacular seasonal planting for the benefit of our visitors.

You will work in rotation with the two teams who look after Ornamental Horticulture across the garden so you can experience each area through the seasons.

Nestled in a wooded valley in the heart of North Devon is nationally acclaimed RHS Garden Rosemoor. Set across 65 acres, the site encompasses two very contrasting ornamental gardens, Lady Anne’s and the Formal Garden, as well as a fruit and vegetable garden, which is surrounded by woodland.

Lady Anne’s Garden is the historical heart of Rosemoor. It is a true plants person’s garden as it is filled with mature and rare specimens, many of which were collected by the late Lady Anne herself, who gifted Rosemoor to the RHS in 1988. Plant collection management, sympathetic enhancement and nurturing of the existing plantings are of paramount importance in this iconic part of the Garden.

In contrast, the Formal Garden has been created entirely by the RHS from pastureland since 1988. It showcases many garden rooms that have been uniquely designed and beautifully planted, to produce captivating displays, demonstrating excellent horticultural practices. The garden rooms include two specialist rose gardens; the Hot and Cool Gardens - planted with colour combinations showcasing the gardeners skill with plants;

and our newly renovated Winter Garden which is starting to settle in adjacent to the original planting in this area.

All the Ornamental areas are maintained to a very high standard and popular with visitors, and one of the things that makes Rosemoor so special.

During the placement you will complete horticultural research culminating in a project write up and submission for the RHS Level 3 Award in Horticultural Investigation which will be funded by the RHS.

Candidates completing the Level 3 qualification will be allocated a Project Supervisor who will support you and advise on the project write up. In order to achieve the qualification you will be required to attend several online sessions (either live or recordings) over a period of 9 months, submit a project write up and complete a professional discussion.

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)…