Each September, we offer two students the opportunity to gain horticultural experience at Knightshayes Court, Devon, one of England’s premier gardens and home to our specialist nursery for rare and unusual plants.

This scholarship is not just a training opportunity. The students are hands-on, working alongside experienced and enthusiastic staff, and developing skills in propagation, design and garden maintenance. Students spend time in all departments, making the most of their year at Knightshayes.

The 20ha garden at Knightshayes follows a Victorian design of garden ‘rooms’, formal terraces, a productive kitchen garden and woodland garden, and is surrounded by extensive parklands and woodland.

© NTPL / Stephen Robson

The specialist nursery receives rare plants from National Trust gardens and international sources for propagation and growing on. The plants are then sent to collections within the National Trust and any surplus sold to the public or dedicated plant collections.

We want students to experience and enjoy working in the atmosphere of what we do day-to-day and learn by active involvement rather than being taught.

During the year we ask each student to help out with a project which will increase their knowledge and be of benefit to Knightshayes.

This might take the form of a diary of their time, a photographic record of what is in flower in the garden each week, or maybe research into controlling pests in the nursery.

© NTPL / Ian Shaw

Apart from gaining invaluable experience, we also help the students with future career development.

Other benefits of this scholarship include visits to private and National Trust gardens, and exchanges with National Trust gardens or the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Rosemoor, Devon.

Free accommodation and an allowance are included, and at the end of their placement, the students are presented with a certificate to show to future employers.

The highly professional gardeners at Knightshayes are used to working with new trainee gardeners. The team comprises eight regular staff plus seasonal staff and over 40 volunteers.

One of the regular staff acts as mentor to the students, and ensures that that they are enjoying and gaining the most from their placement and the other trips and training events that may come along.

How to apply

Interested? Applications are accepted each year until the end of August.

Please write to:

The Head Gardener
Knightshayes Court
Bolham
Tiverton
Devon
EX16 7RQ