Hire a Private Gardener
Year-round beauty quietly managed. Hire a private gardener who keeps your gardens immaculate and has the gardening knowledge to care for your landscapes with expertise.
Hire a private gardener from Morgan & Mallet and they will be able to take root with your household, working alongside the chef, the maid and the rest of the team.
At Morgan & Mallet (M&M), we place over 1,200 household staff every year. We have more than 1,000 international gardeners and head gardeners who are true experts in their field.
Our agency’s data on private gardeners across six major cities – London, Dubai, LA, SF, NY, and Miami, shows:
- 97% placement success rate.
- 86.5% have specialist expertise related to the environment i.e., Miami tropical gardens or private rooftop gardens in NY.
- 78.33% have worked in multi-staffed homes.
What Does a Private Gardener
Do for Luxury Estates?
“God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.”
– Francis Bacon’s essay “Of Gardens”
When an expert private gardener produces a garden that reflects the personality of the client, and also matches the geographic location, both the estate and household thrive.
Unlike commercial services that might hurriedly go through properties, private gardeners dedicate themselves exclusively to your estate.
In New York, 89% of our gardeners have maintained private rooftop gardens, historic courtyards, and multi-season grounds.
Los Angeles presents different challenges entirely. 88% of our LA gardeners have maintained architect-designed landscapes, including drought-resistant zones, citrus groves, and hillside gardens in Bel Air and Beverly Hills.
Interestingly, in Europe over the last decade we have seen an increase in the purchase of French castles and requests for gardeners who can recreate the garden estate as it was 200 years ago.
In summary, our private gardener agency has seen global demand for the finest high-end gardeners increase considerably over the last decade.
Trust Built on Experience
Morgan & Mallet was established in 2015 in London by two French co-founders.
Laurine worked as a nanny for wealthy London and Paris families, and is now responsible for heading up the new training schools recently set up for household staff in France.
Morgan served as a butler and PA for ultra-wealthy households, and nowadays can be found opening up regional offices among the most exclusive cities.
As the French say, “Il n’est bon jardinier qui ne connaisse les mauvaises herbes” – there’s no good gardener who doesn’t know the weeds (true expertise comes from constant, deep knowledge).
Our founders understand that true expertise in luxury household staffing comes from having worked in the field themselves, knowing every challenge and detail first hand.
Today, Morgan & Mallet has grown into a global network with offices in Paris, Monaco, Geneva, Dubai, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
What sets us apart is consistency around the world. A client based in Miami can hire a gardener for their Cotswolds estate in England through the same Morgan & Mallet contact they trust in the US.
Our founders’ experience taught them that the best household staff combine expertise with a genuine service mindset.
This philosophy drives our placement success rate and explains why families trust us year after year.
DISCLAIMER
We might not find your ideal private gardener right away, despite having over 1,000 gardener profiles worldwide.
When that happens, we’ll tell you directly that it’s going to take more time.
Our success comes from being patient and finding the right fit, not just filling positions quickly.
This honest approach is why so many families have trusted us since 2015.
We’ve learned this approach leads to better long-term partnerships from day one.
How Is a Private Gardener
Different from a Landscaping Service?
A landscaping service arrives weekly, cuts your grass, trims your hedges, and leaves.
A private gardener takes root in your soil, digs into your estate, and leaves you generational heritage: a beautiful garden that changes with your family’s needs.
Private gardeners work exclusively for you, learning your preferences and anticipating your needs. They can even collaborate with your private house chef so your garden provides the freshest ingredients for your dishes.
The relationship is personal and long-term. While landscaping crews change constantly, your private gardener becomes a trusted member of your household team.
Finding someone who can maintain a Jersey Island estate’s unique coastal conditions or recreate a French castle’s 18th-century gardens requires rare expertise.
Unsurprisingly, the demand for high-end gardeners far exceeds supply, driving up compensation for these specialists. This often surprises family offices, personal assistants, and household managers, who are tasked with hiring for these positions.
These unique skills vary from city to city. In Miami, 86% of our private gardeners have cared for tropical gardens and waterfront greenery, whereas in London 87% have managed formal gardens and listed-property grounds.
Professional Gardener Experience by City (2025)
For each city, this table shows the percentage of private gardeners with specialized local expertise, those who have passed full vetting, and those with experience working alongside other household staff.
What Qualifications Should
You Look for in a Private Gardener?
The best private gardeners mix formal horticultural training with years of hands-on experience in luxury properties.
The private gardeners placed by the Morgan & Mallet agency have an average experience of five years.
In our network, 12.93% are experienced head gardeners who can lead teams and manage complex properties. These professionals bring leadership skills alongside their horticultural expertise.
Family offices and personal assistants who reach out to us to hire for these positions are advised that although qualifications are important, nothing beats a long-term career gardener with proven verifiable experience.
Another “qualification” we search for in candidates is to be service oriented. For example, one Manhattan household required palm trees to be helicoptered onto their penthouse terrace.
The entire logistical operation was beyond most gardener’s requirements but the task was completed successfully, from crane permits to root ball calculations – all driven by the essential quality for luxury staffing: true dedication to service.
How Do Private Gardeners
Work with Other Household Staff?
A skilled private gardener integrates smoothly with your existing household team. They coordinate with house managers for events, work with private chefs to maintain kitchen gardens, and collaborate with maintenance staff on outdoor projects.
Communication and respect are essential. The best gardeners understand household hierarchies and standards while maintaining their area of expertise.
Market-Specific Expertise
Every city has its own gardening challenges. Here’s what gardeners need to know in each location:
New York
Making gardens look perfect for each season, especially when the family is hosting guests.
81% of our NY gardeners have experience maintaining properties for seasonal entertaining.
Los Angeles
Creating landscapes that work with busy family schedules while keeping things private and party-ready.
79% of the LA gardeners we have recruited have worked in homes where privacy and event preparation are top priorities.
London
Keeping gardens guest-ready and managing properties when families travel between homes.
79% of our placements have experience maintaining multiple properties for clients.
San Francisco
Maintaining beautiful gardens quietly, especially when owners aren’t home much.
78% of our San Francisco gardeners have expertise at managing properties where the occupants aren’t at home much.
Miami
Making sure outdoor spaces flow naturally with indoor areas and guest spaces.
77% of placed private gardeners have worked in estates where indoor-outdoor continuity is essential.
Dubai
Creating outdoor spaces that match the indoor service style while respecting privacy needs.
76% of our Dubai gardeners have experience in home with lots of staff. Specific experience can be useful for this.
The Morgan & Mallet
Gardener Placement Process
Our placement process ensures you find a gardener who will have the skills and personality to match your garden needs and your requirements. We’ve refined this system through years of successful matches.
Nearly all (97%) of our placed gardeners were accepted by clients without any requests for a different gardener.
Step One: Understanding Your Vision
We start with an in-depth consultation about your property, preferences, and expectations. This goes beyond plant preferences to understand your lifestyle and how your gardens fit into it.
In our first call you’ll notice our recruiters will be mainly listening – not talking. We need to know what you have in mind.
Step Two: Global Talent Search
We search our database of over 1,000 gardener profiles while also conducting targeted recruitment. Even if we have ideal candidates in mind, we still advertise positions to ensure we’re presenting the absolute best options.
Step Three: Complete Vetting
Every candidate goes through comprehensive background checks, reference verification, and skills assessment. We verify their experience with similar properties and climates.
In the interview, we listen to see how the gardener talks, are they all about themselves or what they did for the household? Our recruiters have a keen sense of who will succeed for their clients. Working for Ultra High Net Worth clients requires a particular set of skills, beyond just gardening.
Step Four: Reference Verification
We conduct thorough background checks and speak with multiple previous employers. One candidate we interviewed wasn’t selected for the initial role, but our professional process impressed him so much he recommended Morgan & Mallet to his next employer.
Step Five: Matching
We present just three exceptional candidates. This reflects our commitment to quality over quantity.
If we are very confident that we have the exact match for your requirements, we present just one gardener, this is a very rewarding experience for the recruiter and also quite surprising for the client!
Step Six: Ongoing Support
Our relationship continues after placement. We provide support during the transition period and remain available for any questions. We also have strong legal partners for each office and country, making sure you hire with confidence.
What's the Difference Between a Gardener and a Groundskeeper?
Gardeners firtsly care for plants and flowers. Groundskeepers handle overall outdoor property maintenance, including driveways, walls, structures, and general upkeep.
Many estates need both, or professionals who can fulfill the two roles.
For estates over five acres or properties with complex outdoor features, a groundskeeper becomes essential. They ensure that everything outdoors on your estate works smoothly while your gardener focuses on making it beautiful.
When Do You Need a Head Gardener?
Head gardeners become necessary when your property needs quite a few gardening staff or when you have several residences needing coordination.
12.93% of our candidate database at Morgan & Mallet consists of experienced head gardeners who understand both horticulture and management.
These professionals develop long-term planting strategies, manage budgets, and coordinate with external contractors.
Head gardeners are good at training junior staff and keeping the same standards across large or multiple properties.
If you’re planning major landscape projects or have large grounds needing year-round teams, a head gardener brings essential leadership and expertise.
Making the Right Choice
for Your Estate
Finding your ideal gardener needs an understanding your specific needs and matching them with the right person. Consider your property’s unique challenges and your family’s lifestyle.
Take time to think about what matters most.
Do you need someone who has experience of formal gardens or natural landscapes?
Will they work alone or lead a team?
How important are language skills and cultural fit?
Ready to find your perfect gardener?
Contact Morgan & Mallet today to discuss your estate’s unique needs.
Frequently asked questions
How do gardeners maintain confidentiality and discretion?
Professional gardeners understand that discretion is an important skill, just like their skills with plants and gardening.
They sign comprehensive NDAs and undergo training in privacy skills before placement. At Morgan & Mallet, we have legal partners who help with legal agreements.
100% of all our gardeners at Morgan & Mallet are selected via strict background checks, employment references, and in some cases practical on-site tests.
Our gardeners know how to work quietly during important meetings or family moments. They understand which areas need special privacy and schedule their work around this.
In London, 100% of our gardeners are trained in British horticultural standards, including skills such as privacy screening using natural features like hedges and large pants and then maintaining these.
What seasonal planning should a private gardener handle independently?
Experienced gardeners expect seasonal needs many months ahead, this is part of the normal work of a gardener. They order bulbs in summer for spring displays, prepare winter protection before first frost, and plan summer gardens during winter months.
A gardener in the South of France once told a recruiter “The gardener’s year is a circle, not a line” – reflecting the true nature of the job.
Your gardener should manage changes in season without having to be told. This includes switching annuals, protecting sensitive plants, and ensuring your garden looks perfect for anticipated events.
In New York, 100% of our gardeners are vetted for self-directed seasonal care. They handle everything from bulb planning to snow protection on their own. This is so much part of the job that is almost doesn’t need to be said.
How are gardeners vetted for high-net-worth households?
Our selection process goes beyond standard background checks. We verify employment history with previous luxury households, check references from estate managers, and assess cultural fit for high-net-worth environments.
Every candidate undergoes criminal background verification, driving record checks, and we also verify their right to work and any claimed certifications.
The process involves lots of interviews and sometimes includes practical assessments. We want to see how they handle real garden scenarios and interact with other staff members.
Our co-founders know they are not in the recruitment industry but in the trust industry.
How do gardeners adapt when principals travel frequently?
Head gardeners and experienced private gardeners very often manage seasonal workers for large projects. They need to plan schedules, keep quality high, and make sure temporary staff understand how the household works.
This needs leadership skills beyond just gardening knowledge, something we really look for in candidates. The best gardeners train seasonal staff well and keep security a top priority even with larger teams.
Dubai gardeners show this clearly – 76% of our placements here have worked in well staffed homes where coordination is essential. They balance getting work done with keeping the standards of the house high.
What certifications benefit professional gardeners?
While hands-on experience matters most, certain certifications indicate serious professional development. Look for horticulture degrees, landscape design certificates, or specialized training in areas like arboriculture or irrigation management.
Morgan Richez, one of Morgan & Mallet’s co-founders teaches his recruiters to look for a consistent career path in the specialisation, this often indicates passion and clarity for the profession.
Organic gardening certifications have become increasingly valuable. Many families want chemical-free gardens, especially around children’s play areas or kitchen gardens.
In Miami, 100% of our gardeners are trained in regional specialties like hurricane preparedness. Location-specific certifications often matter more than generic qualifications.
How do gardeners coordinate seasonal staff?
Head gardeners and experienced private gardeners often manage seasonal workers for large projects. Part of the job is to plan schedules, maintain quality standards, and make sure temporary staff understand how the household works and its protocols.
This needs leadership skills more than just gardening knowledge. The best gardeners train seasonal staff to a high stanbdard and maintain security standards even with larger teams.
Dubai gardeners show this clearly – 76% of our placements here have worked in multi-staffed homes where coordination is essential. They balance getting work done with maintaining household privacy and standards.
What emergency response skills should gardeners possess?
Garden emergencies range from storm damage to irrigation failures. Professional gardeners need practical skills to overcome these issues. and that can be where experience comes in.
They should handle common emergencies on their own – fixing broken irrigation lines, dealing with pest problems, or protecting valuable plants from unexpected weather.
In Miami, where 100% of our gardeners are trained in hurricane preparedness, emergency response is critical. They know how to protect valuable plants and get gardens back to normal quickly after storms.
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