In the autumn of 2008, I walked through the gates of the Dorothy Clive Garden as a junior gardener—and stayed for the next sixteen years. By the end, I was Head Gardener, responsible for one of the most cherished public gardens on the Staffordshire–Shropshire–Cheshire border: twelve acres of plantsman’s hillside, with rhododendron woodland, winding formal and informal walks, ponds, more than 200 m² of glasshouse collections, and a wealth of perennial and mixed borders—best understood, perhaps, only after you’ve weeded every inch of them yourself.
More than anything, those years taught me patience. The finest gardens aren’t designed in an afternoon; they are shaped over time—carefully tended by people who understand which plants belong, when to intervene, and, just as importantly, when to leave well alone.
ZV Garden Services grew from a quiet wish to bring that approach to private gardens and has since found its home in South Birmingham. We’re not just a maintenance round, and we’re not a one-day blitz crew. We’re a small, considered horticultural practice that visits when it matters and leaves plants and gardens visibly better than we found them.
A short timeline
2009-2013
First years at Dorothy Clive Garden
Although my interest in gardening began early—growing beans, raising citrus trees from pips, and relentlessly taking cuttings from my mother’s houseplants in my native Czech Republic—it wasn’t until I came to the UK that it truly took root.
I began my formal path into horticulture at Reaseheath College, followed by hands-on experience at Bridgemere Garden Centre. The pivotal moment, though, was joining the horticultural team at the Dorothy Clive Garden as a junior gardener.
What followed was a steep and formative learning curve. I learned the craft of professional horticulture from experienced gardeners and true plantspeople, absorbing both practical skills and theoretical knowledge—from propagation and plant care to design and seasonal management. Alongside this, I completed my Royal Horticultural Society qualifications, building a foundation that would shape everything that came after.
2015
First Appearance on BBC Radio
As time went on, I began giving lectures on a range of gardening topics to local clubs and institutions. That, somewhat against my better judgement (I’m not a natural extrovert), led to my first appearances on BBC Radio Stoke, and later on BBC Radio Shropshire, where I became a regular gardening contributor, answering live questions from the public on all aspects of horticulture.
It proved to be a valuable education in itself. What began with a fair amount of nerves—bordering on dread before going on air—has gradually become something I genuinely enjoy: a chance to share knowledge, solve problems, and engage directly with gardeners of all levels.
2018
Appointed Head Gardener
I took on responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Dorothy Clive Garden, overseeing a team of staff and volunteers, directing seasonal planting plans, and contributing to the garden’s long-term development strategy.
2025
ZV Garden Services founded
After many happy years at the Dorothy Clive Garden, the time came to try something new. I left the team to establish ZV Garden Services—a small, plant-led garden maintenance practice serving private gardens across the Staffordshire–Cheshire–Shropshire border.
The focus was simple: thoughtful, skilled horticulture tailored to individual gardens, rather than routine maintenance, with an emphasis on plant health, seasonal interest, and long-term improvement.
March 2026
Starting anew in Birmingham
After a very successful first year in the Midlands, and more broadly following six years of a long-distance relationship, I made the decision to move in with my partner in Birmingham and bring my horticultural practice into the city.
I now work across Birmingham and its surrounding areas, curating and caring for gardens and green spaces in places such as Edgbaston, Moseley, Harborne, Bournville, Solihull, and other parts of central and south Birmingham.
