Great House - Head Gardeners

Pictured Tom Carter

Although only 26 when he became head gardener of Butleigh Court in 1893, Tom Carter was a third-generation estate gardener and had immense knowledge of all things botanical. He needed it: With six other gardeners working under him, Carter was responsible for seven acres of manicured lawns and formal gardens, flower and vegetable beds, greenhouses, tropical plant houses, and fruit and nut orchards.

The term ‘Head Gardener’ is generally used to describe a person who is in charge of a
garden and any staff working within that garden. That at least, is the common perception of the title. Images of a bowler hatted gentleman, with a tweed coat, brown boots and a leather apron are conjured up in the minds of the general public. Someone with great authority, whose word is Law. Somebody whom even the Lord of The Manor must pay deference, due to his great knowledge and impenetrable language and folk lore skills, handed down by previous generations. (With apologies to the ladies! I have rarely seen a photograph of a Lady Head Gardener, with the exception of the most famous plants women who no doubt, were also held in great esteem and treated with deference by any employer and staff alike)