Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent, one of the world’s best-known gardens, is launching a new horticulture scholarship – the National Trust’s first – to nurture and develop the gardeners and head gardeners of the future.
The Sissinghurst Scholarship, generously funded by donations and legacies, will nurture excellence, giving practical hands-on experience in the art and craft of horticulture, with a particular focus on the traditions and practices of the garden’s founders, Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson.
The flagship 18-month scholarship will commence in September. In addition, a separate 10-month Growing Scholarship will begin next March, with an emphasis on nursery skills and kitchen gardening.
Each scholarship is open to both UK and international applicants with a minimum RHS Level 2 in Horticulture and offers a generous Grade 8 and Grade 10 salary, respectively. Heavily subsidised on-site accommodation is available.
Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team will all work with the successful applicants to ensure scholars get the most from the experience.
Troy said: “Sissinghurst Castle Garden has been a foundation of horticultural learning for decades. In fact, in 1997, Nigel Nicolson, son of Vita and Harold, wrote that ‘Sissinghurst is a nursery not only for plants, but for head-gardeners'.”
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Posted On: 13/06/2022