Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don has veered away from his usual domain to create a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with the help of an unconventional partner—his golden retriever Ned. The garden, aptly named the RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden, is tailored for man’s best friend, featuring dog-friendly elements such as paths among plants, dog accessories, and a dog house adorned with pictures of pups from Radio 2 listeners.
Monty encountered challenges during the garden’s creation, as the dogs involved did not adhere to his anticipated plan for the paths. This unforeseen circumstance prompted a reevaluation of the garden’s design. Monty elaborated on the dogs' influence on the garden’s layout, observing their movement patterns and realigning the paths accordingly.
Alan Titchmarsh, who previously presented Gardeners' World, commended Monty’s unconventional approach and expressed anticipation for the outcome of the project. He reminisced about his own experiences integrating dogs into his garden and admired Monty’s audacity in exploring the integration of canines and plants.
Monty’s innovative garden is slated to feature dandelions, daisies, and clover transferred from RHS Garden Wisley to the lawn, ensuring its appeal to four-legged visitors. Following the Flower Show, the garden will find a new home at the River Thames for the benefit of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
In other news, Alan Titchmarsh is set to return to television with “Love Your Weekend,” sharing insights on enjoying the British outdoors with his audience.