Vick’s CV

Before running Individual Plants Nursery full time in 2023, I spent a decade long professional career as Ornamental Gardens Supervisor at Lismore Castle Gardens where I worked with a wide variety of plant genera in a diverse range of situations.

I was mentored by the head gardener at the time (Darren Topps) and was part of the team who helped him deliver and establish his extensive landscaping and planting overhaul at Lismore Castle Gardens, which began in 2013. My role during my time there was working to produce, maintain & establish ornamental planting, propagate material for the garden & deliver cut flower displays for the house, & help assist & deliver garden workshops. I formalised my horticultural experience with RHS qualifications (2 & 3) which I studied while working. In 2018 I was awarded an RHS bursary to travel to the Western Cape of South Africa to learn about fynbos plants & their propagation.

Since becoming self-employed I work with a small client list, assisting & advising them in growing as sustainably as possible through organic principles. I have been part of a panel at Bloom in 2025, discussing planting for ecology and I will be speaking for the IGPS in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin about how I “Raw Garden”, demonstrating how to work with your garden conditions to encourage wildness in to encourage & create native habitat.

My ethos is to work with clients to help them realise beautiful, sustainable plantings that are well suited to their existing garden conditions, personal aesthetic, gardening ability and budget.

I work in the Irish Republic within the areas of West Waterford & East Cork. For areas outside this please enquire.

Previous to all this garden work I spent years working in a range of outdoor roles, from working with horses, owning a small holding at one point, working as a head kennel-hand & even cleaning toilets in a school! Oh! I also used to organise a music showcase night in Lismore called The Medicine Sessions, with mad nights like this!.. that was fun!