Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) first opened to the public in 1832 and has become one of the UK’s most significant historic Botanic Gardens, is Nationally Listed Grade II* and now an internationally Accredited botanic garden. BBG cares for plants of unique scientific value, some rare and now critically endangered in the wild. It is one of the only surviving independent early 19th-century historic botanic gardens of its kind in the UK and, remarkably, JC Loudon’s original garden and landscape design has remained largely intact.

The 15-acre site houses an outstanding collection of over 10,000 documented taxa (30,000 plants) and the largest and most diverse collection in central England. The 4 Victorian glasshouses are the largest and most extensive range of controlled glasshouse environments in the Midlands and represent Tropical, Sub-tropical, Mediterranean, and Arid habitat conditions. BBG also cares for designated National Cyclamen and the extensive and important Midlands Bonsai Collections.

2025 is an especially exciting time to become a trainee at BBG, as the Gardens are progressing plans and development to secure the glasshouses and Gardens for future generations. BBG was awarded NLHF funding in 2022 towards a major multi-million-pound development, Growing Our Green Heritage. The project will restore the Grade II* historic glasshouses, and improve learning, and community engagement to create a place of horticultural excellence and an outstanding green space for Birmingham and the West Midlands. The project provides a unique opportunity for a potential trainee to gain insight into an exciting and major glasshouse restoration project at a historic botanic garden.

The trainee at BBG will rotate through 6 different garden areas (including four Glasshouse ranges, the Alan King Alpine Garden and the National Bonsai Collection). This offers the opportunity to gain experience in maintaining and improving large display glasshouses, propagating in the nursery, machinery usage, including use of mowers, grass trimmers and hedge cutters. Weeding, leaf collection, path sweeping, pruning and planting are key tasks in all areas. There will also be the chance to attend regular trade and flower shows exhibited onsite.

Placements available: One

Staff numbers: 6 full-time and 3 part-time horticulturalists, 2 collections support officers, 1 glass trainee, 1 WRAGS trainee and 1 HBGTP trainee. In addition the team work with up to 10 volunteers each day.

Ease of access: The nearest train station, Five Ways is a 20-minute walk away. Numerous buses stop outside or very close to the Gardens, and the Gardens are also 8 minutes’ walk from the Edgbaston Village Tram stop. Further directions are available on the BBG website.

Accommodation: No dedicated accommodation available.