Estate Fine Gardener

Hanley Landscape Design is a high end landscape design-build firm based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. We design, build, and maintain some of the most detailed and expansive residential estates in coastal Rhode Island, including waterfront estates, historic properties, and large private gardens throughout Newport and Aquidneck Island.

Unlike many other firms, our work extends far beyond fine gardening. Our team handles everything from master planning, landscape architecture to construction, fine gardening, estate care, arboriculture, and long-term property stewardship. We are a company built around quality, craftsmanship, and a genuine passion for plants.

Your Day & Team Looks Like

Your day begins at 6:45 AM at our Portsmouth office attending your team's meeting before loading vehicles and heading to one of our estate properties.

You'll spend your time caring for ornamental gardens, specialty plant collections, mature landscapes, edible gardens, and seasonal displays throughout some of Rhode Island's most significant residential properties.

During the growing season, you'll perform detailed horticultural work including pruning, deadheading, plant health monitoring, garden editing, perennial care, seasonal color changes, irrigation observation, and general garden stewardship. Many of our properties contain extensive edible gardens, allowing team members to work with vegetables, herbs, berries, cut flowers, and specialty crops in addition to ornamental landscapes.

As part of a design-build company, you'll also have the opportunity to assist with planting projects and major landscape installations. Our Fine Gardens Team is often responsible for the final layer of a project, helping install and establish the trees, shrubs, and perennials that bring a landscape to life.

While your primary focus will remain fine gardening, being part of a larger company provides opportunities for growth and exposure to other areas of the industry. Employees who develop new interests often have opportunities to explore design, arboriculture, project management, estate care, or landscape construction throughout their careers.

If you're the type of person who genuinely enjoys learning plant names, discussing cultivars, visiting gardens, or experimenting in your own landscape, you'll likely fit right in.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced horticultural knowledge and strong plant identification skills
• Working knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), plant healthcare, and common ornamental plant issues
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot plant health, pest, disease, irrigation, and environmental problems
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with both clients and team members
• Ability to train, mentor, and motivate team members in the field
• Ability to read landscape plans or willingness to learn
• Comfortable using landscape equipment and working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Ability to lift and perform the physical demands associated with horticultural work

Responsibilities Include

• Performing advanced fine gardening tasks including pruning, deadheading, garden editing, weeding, and mulching
• Monitoring plant health and identifying issues related to pests, disease, nutrient deficiencies, irrigation, and environmental stress
• Implementing basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies
• Installing and establishing trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and edible gardens
• Maintaining exceptional horticultural standards across estate properties
• Communicating professionally with clients and company leadership
• Maintaining organized tools, vehicles, and job sites
• Identifying opportunities for garden improvements, replacements, and enhancements

Bonus Points If You Have

• A degree in Plant Science, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Landscape design experience
• ISA Certification
• A custom cover letter (yes, we read them)
• A genuine passion for plants, trees, and horticulture

Why Work With Us?

Our Fine Gardens Team works on properties that most horticulturists only see in magazines. From historic Newport estates to large waterfront landscapes, the variety and quality of work are difficult to find elsewhere in the industry.

More importantly, you'll work alongside a team that genuinely values horticultural knowledge and craftsmanship. Many of our team members hold degrees in horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental science, and related fields. We enjoy talking about plants, learning new things, and continually improving our craft.

Because we are a design-build firm you'll also have long-term involvement with the landscapes you care for. Rather than simply maintaining someone else's work, you'll help steward landscapes from installation through maturity, watching gardens evolve and improve over time.

If you're looking for a position where plants come first, where quality matters, and where you'll be surrounded by people who care about horticulture as much as you do, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay: $21.00 - $29.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please describe your experience with fine gardening in 1-4 sentences.

[Note: If you are not an experienced horticulturist, we reccomend applying for a role with our enhancement or landscape construction teams at https://www.hanleyri.com/jobs].

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21 - $29