Head Gardener Ecological Landscape

(Paid Opportunities) Return to Paid Opportunities

Start Date: 4/01/2025  Compensation: 70,000-100,000 per year

The Round House in Wilton, CT, along with two adjacent properties, forms a nearly 7-acre ecologically designed landscape that showcases native plant communities, restoration, and biodiversity conservation. The landscape and gardens were designed by Darrel Morrison, a pioneer in ecological landscape design, and reflect his philosophy of naturalistic, biodiverse, and ecologically functional plant communities.

This unique property includes:
✔ Managed woodlands, wetlands, and meadows
✔ Diverse native plant communities emphasizing restoration and biodiversity
✔ A historic modernist residence that adds a cultural and architectural dimension to the site

The Head Gardener will take the lead in maintaining, restoring, and expanding native plant habitats while ensuring the landscape remains a model for ecological stewardship and sustainable gardening practices. This role is 100% hands-on while also involving public engagement, outreach, and education.

In addition to caring for the native plant landscape, the gardener will also help integrate an organic vegetable gardeninto the broader ecological vision of the property. This includes designing and maintaining a vegetable garden that aligns with the site’s emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and habitat restoration, ensuring it blends harmoniously into the surrounding natural landscape.

Responsibilities/Duties

1. Native Plant Care & Land Stewardship

  • Maintain and enhance the diverse native plant communities, including meadows, woodlands, and wetland areas
  • Implement restoration practices to support biodiversity, habitat preservation, and long-term ecological health
  • Use chemical-free methods to manage weeds and invasive species

2. Native Plant Propagation & Biodiversity Restoration

  • Develop and manage a propagation program for native plants through seed collection, cuttings, and division
  • Oversee restoration efforts to strengthen native plant populations

3. Organic Vegetable Garden Design & Sustainability

  • Help design and maintain a vegetable garden that aligns with the ecological philosophy of the estate, ensuring a seamless integration with the surrounding landscape
  • Utilize sustainable and organic practices to grow seasonal produce in a way that supports biodiversity and soil health
  • Incorporate companion planting, soil enrichment, and habitat-friendly techniques

4. Outreach, Writing & Public Engagement

  • Write about the gardens and their evolution, helping to maintain an online presence for the property
  • Develop and lead small group tours, engaging visitors in the importance of native plants, restoration, biodiversity, and sustainability
  • Collaborate with other members of the organization to create small educational programs related to conservation, plant ecology, and sustainable gardening

5. Team Leadership & Supervision

  • Oversee and coordinate seasonal laborers and volunteers for maintenance and restoration projects
  • Ensure the estate’s high horticultural standards are met across all areas

Qualifications/Requirements

✔ Education & Experience:

  • Strong practical experience in managing a native plant estate, public garden, or ecological restoration site
  • A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Landscape Management, or a related field is preferred

✔ Specialized Skills:

  • Expertise in native plants of the Northeast, plant propagation, and ecological restoration
  • Knowledge of sustainable gardening, organic methods, and biodiversity conservation
  • Experience leading habitat restoration projects
  • Experience in designing or maintaining an organic vegetable garden with an emphasis on ecological principles
  • Strong writing and communication skills for documenting and sharing the work being done on the property
  • Ability to lead seasonal staff and volunteers

✔ Additional Requirements:

  • Comfortable with physical outdoor work across varied terrain and weather conditions
  • Enthusiastic about public engagement, leading tours, and creating outreach programs

Additional Information

Please submit Resume to rrdavt@protonmail.com Put “head Gardener ” in subject line. 

Contact Information

LDG Land LLC
Email: rrdavt@protonmail.com