Become an expert in a specific group of plants, garden practice or style with our one-year programme of paid work experience with some specialist study
About the placements
Learners will spend a year working with a specific garden department, assisting the team with day-to-day cultivation and maintenance tasks. Placements for 2022 will be available at all five RHS Gardens.
Applications are open
Applications for Specialist Horticultural Placement’s (SHPs) across all RHS Gardens for a September 2022 start are open from 1 December 2021 until 1 February 2022. For more information on applying, see our ‘How to apply’ section further down.
Apply now
What RHS Gardens have placements
RHS Garden Wisley
The following teams accept Specialist Horticultural learners:
- Ornamental – formal, herbaceous or woodland
- Alpine
- Edibles
- Glass
- Garden support services
- Nursery and propagation
- Trials
- Welcome and riverside
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The following teams accept Specialist Horticultural learners:
- Edibles (productive)
- Nursery and propagation
- Alpine
RHS Garden Rosemoor
The following teams accept Specialist Horticultural learners:
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
The following teams accept Specialist Horticultural learners:
- Countryside and estate
- Floral and ornamental
- Nursery and propagation
RHS Garden Bridgewater
The following teams accept Specialist Horticultural learners:
- Ornamental and turf
- Sustainable horticulture
- Wellbeing and community horticulture
Applications and entry requirements
Applicants are expected, as a minimum, to have completed a Level 2 horticultural qualification such as a National Certificate in Horticulture, Horticulture Operative Apprenticeship or RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.
Applicants should have
- GCSE qualifications in English and maths (or equivalents)
- At least three months of practical work experience in a professional horticultural environment
- Experience using basic horticultural machinery, equipment and/or tools
- Enjoy working on own initiative as well as part of a team
- An openness to working with new individuals across the garden on a regular basis
- Experience of working with customers/visitors in a professional environment, and of giving good customer service
- A flexible approach to working (e.g. weekend work will be required on a regular basis, and evening work will be required from time to time)
Please take a look at the job description on our recruitment site for full applicant criteria.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to apply. The RHS is unable to sponsor any visa applications. A good working knowledge of the English language is essential and evidence to that effect will be requested.
How to apply
Applications for Specialist Horticultural Placement’s (SHPs) across all RHS Gardens for a September 2022 start are open from 1 December 2021 until 1 February 2022.
Apply through our dedicated recruitment site using the link below.
Applicants should choose the RHS Garden they wish to train at in the ‘Location’ box. Then select ‘All’ in the ‘Job category/type’ box to see all positions available at that garden.
If you submit more than one application and are called to interview, you will only be interviewed once.
Please note: If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to prove that you have the right to work in the UK.
Apply now
Learner life at RHS Gardens
Training away from home can be daunting but we’re here to help you. We can support you with:
- Finding local accommodation
- Getting free access to our amazing libraries
- Connecting you with new friends from across the world
Find out more 
Got a question?
Email our dedicated team and they’ll help you get your learning under way.
Email the team
You might also be interested in...
- Learner stories: See what our current and past learners have to say about their training at the RHS – read the stories
- Supporters: Our work-based training programmes are only possible with funding from our supporters – find out about our supporters
- Careers in horticulture: If you’re looking to change careers or just starting out, the world of horticulture has dozens of roles – explore more careers
