Monty Don, the beloved presenter of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, has candidly shared his personal journey through severe depression that darkened his twenties. In an interview with BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, Monty revealed how an unlikely connection with roses helped lift him from those challenging times.
Initially indifferent to roses, Monty described his early admiration as a casual appreciation, akin to enjoying a sunset or the song of a blackbird. Yet, as the years passed, his fascination deepened. He immersed himself in rose catalogues, learning intricate names like Tuscany Superb, Charles de Mills, Alba Semiplena, Celestial, Chapeau de Napoleon, and Rose de Rescht, which soon became a “floral charm” rolling off his tongue.
During the 1980s financial crisis, Monty’s once-thriving jewellery business suffered, and the ensuing stress took a toll on his mental health. He recalls those times as “dark days” when he did “very little” for nearly a year. Concerned, his wife Sarah would pick small bunches of roses from pots yet to be planted and place them before him, offering silent comfort.
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These exquisite roses became a beacon amid his despair, their simplicity and purity helping Monty to slowly reclaim his spirit. Over more than 25 years, Monty has cultivated hundreds of rose varieties at his Longmeadow garden, developing a deep love and respect for the flowers that once helped him through his darkest moments.
At 69, Monty continues to confront Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), seeking warm winter climates to find relief. In a heartfelt discussion on The Love of Gardens podcast with Kirsty Wark, he highlighted how gardening—particularly working with soil—has been a vital outlet for managing his mental health.
Monty emphasizes that gardening isn’t a passive cure but a healing process that supports mental wellbeing, often complementing medical treatment. He points out the dual nature of mental health: from mental illness that may be alleviated by gardening to overall mental wellbeing that gardening can enhance by “recharging those batteries.”
His story underscores the profound role that horticulture can play in healing, showing that growth in the garden can mirror growth within ourselves.