You could be the next head gardener at Alnwick Garden - here's what to expect and how to apply

Trevor Jones with some of the scary contents of the Alnwick Poison Garden. Picture: Margaret Whittaker.

Alnwick Garden head gardener Trevor Jones is about to hang up his trowel – but wants to make sure he hands over to the right person.

From growing cannabis in the world-famous Poison Garden to modelling for The Alnwick Garden calendar, it is a job unlike any other.

“In my 12 years working at The Alnwick Garden, I have donned a white chemical suit to conduct tours of our Poison Garden, flown around the world to deliver horticultural educational talks and hosted World Naked Gardening day,” said Trevor.

Trevor with the Duchess of Northumberland. Picture: Margaret Whittaker

“It’s fair to say that my job is somewhat multi-faceted.”

The Alnwick Garden is the brainchild of Duchess of Northumberland Jane Percy and the 12 acres of meandering and magnificent gardens are home to the world’s largest Taihaku Cherry Orchard, a Grand Cascade comprising 120 water jets, a Poison Garden filled exclusively with around 100 intoxicating and narcotic plants, the world’s largest Treehouse Restaurant and one of the largest rose gardens in the world.

Trevor’s is keen to find a replacement who will be willing to not only undertake such a broad range of tasks, but someone who will push boundaries even further and take The Alnwick Garden to the next level.

“We are always looking to be different and push the envelope – our Halloween event this year saw people being chased by clowns, masked characters and our CEO carrying a chainsaw,” hr said.

Trevor in the garden. Picture: Margaret Whittaker

“I have become so used to it all that it becomes ‘just another day at the office’.“My replacement has to be open minded and drive change – The Alnwick Garden approach is that nothing is too quirky.

“So, the hunt is now on to try to find this special person – someone with passions, knowledge, ideas and of course an open mind.

“Quirks aside, we are looking for someone with a huge experience and

thorough knowledge of plants, because fundamentally the excellence of planting is what is at our

core.”

To apply for the post, e-mail [email protected] or write to HR, The Alnwick Garden, The Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Road, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1HB.