Garden Care Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

Calluna Landscapes is seeking an experienced, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented horticultural professional to join our small residential garden maintenance and design business.

This is not an entry-level landscaping position! We are looking for someone who already has hands-on experience working in gardens, strong plant knowledge, great client communication skills, and the ability to work independently with initiative and care.

You are passionate about horticulture, take pride in their work, notice details others miss, and understand how to maintain gardens to a high horticultural standard. You’ll regularly interact directly with clients and should feel confident representing the company and your work professionally and thoughtfully.

You will work closely alongside the owner in residential gardens throughout the East Bay, helping care for landscapes with an emphasis on plant health, ecology, sustainability, and thoughtful garden care.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced Garden Maintenance

Perform skilled horticultural maintenance including selective and prescriptive pruning, design decisions, plant editing, deadheading, fertilizing, weeding, seasonal cutbacks, mulching, planting and garden rejuvenation. 

Plant Identification & Plant Health Care

Accurately identify a wide range of ornamental plants and recognize signs of stress , pests, disease, irrigation issues, or nutrient deficiencies. Recommend and implement thoughtful, organic-minded solutions.

Irrigation Management

Ideally you can monitor, troubleshoot, and adjust drip and spray irrigation systems seasonally to support plant health and water efficiency. If irrigation is new to you, we are happy to train this skill. 

Client Communication

Communicate professionally and comfortably with clients on-site about garden progress, recommendations, seasonal needs, and ongoing care. Our clients love to hear about how their gardens are doing and what’s going on under all those leaves and roots! Part of our job is getting them interested and excited about what’s happening out there.

Initiative & Problem Solving

Notice what needs attention without needing to be directed step-by-step. Prioritize tasks efficiently and bring your own ideas, observations, and solutions to the work.

Garden Presentation

Maintain a cared-for appearance throughout each property, including pathways, patios, entrances, containers, and planted areas.

Tool & Equipment Care

Safely operate and maintain hand tools and power equipment while helping keep the work vehicle, tools, and supplies as organized as possible.

Required Qualifications

• Previous professional experience working in garden maintenance, horticulture, estate gardening, landscaping, nursery work, or a related field
• Strong plant identification skills and horticultural knowledge
• Experience with pruning techniques and seasonal garden care
• Ability to work efficiently , independently, and with attention to detail
• Comfortable communicating directly with clients in a professional and personable way
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and a positive attitude
• Ability to perform physical outdoor work in varying weather conditions
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Ideal Candidate

You may be a good fit if you:

• Genuinely enjoy working in gardens and notice the little things
• Take initiative naturally rather than waiting for instruction
• Care deeply about quality and thoughtful garden stewardship
• Are curious, observant, and always learning
• Enjoy building long-term relationships with clients
• Value ecological and organic gardening practices

About the Role

This is an opportunity to work within a small, personalized horticultural business that values craftsmanship, plant knowledge, ecology, and meaningful client relationships. The work is (sometimes) physically demanding, (always) intellectually engaging, creative, and deeply rewarding for the right person.

You’ll be trusted with real responsibility and encouraged to bring your knowledge, observations, and expertise into the work we do. If you love being outdoors, working amongst the plants, chatting with clients, solving problems, and getting stuff done, this could be a great fit for you. Part time work is available now with the potential for full time in the near future. Pay is based on experience, starting at $29/hour.