Renowned gardener Monty Don has candidly shared the complexities of living with what he describes as a “split identity.” Though Monty has spent his entire life in England, he has deep Scottish roots—his father was fully Scottish—and a strong emotional connection to Scotland, a country that holds significant personal memories for him, including proposing to his wife, Sarah, there.
On the V&A Dundee podcast with journalist Kirsty Wark, Monty explored the contrasts between gardening in England and Scotland. “Scotland offers an incredible variety,” he noted, “and when I visit, I often feel more Scottish than English, which is a strange but wonderful feeling.” This dual sense of belonging shapes much of his gardening philosophy and personal story.
Monty’s reflections come ahead of his latest appearance at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, where he has designed a garden centered around dog-friendly features. However, his choices have sparked debate because the garden also includes plants that are toxic to dogs. Monty defends these inclusions by emphasizing their presence in his own garden, where his dogs roam freely. “The main plant I worry about is yew, and that’s not in the garden,” he said. “Dogs and owners are generally sensible.”
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Discussing the garden, Monty highlighted his intent to create something authentic and accessible: “I wanted to present a garden at Chelsea that doesn’t carry a grand theme or exotic message but is firmly rooted in England in 2025. It’s full of plants that I grow myself or that anyone can buy locally, featuring trees and shrubs native or well-adapted to the area.”
Beyond gardening, Monty has shared more about his whirlwind romance with his wife Sarah. On the White Wine Question Time podcast with Kate Thornton, he revealed that there were only 48 hours between his proposal and their marriage. Concerned Sarah might reconsider, Monty had secretly booked the registry office before telling her. “We were in the Hebrides on remote islands,” he recalled. “I asked her to marry me while rowing on calm seas. She hesitated, but after a minute or two said yes. When we returned to London, I booked the registry office for later that week without telling her because I didn’t want her to change her mind.”
Monty Don continues to captivate with his honest insights into his heritage, his approach to gardening, and his personal life, blending tradition with bold choices that reflect both his English upbringing and Scottish origins.