Monty Don to design dog-friendly garden
“This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event” – Monty Don.
Next year’s Chelsea Flower Show is set to feature a dog-friendly garden designed by BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don.
Mr Don’s dogs, including the golden retrievers Nigel, Nell, and Ned, have been a regular feature of Gardeners’ World episodes from his garden at Longmeadow.
Although he has previously presented television coverage of the show, it will be the first time Mr Don has designed a garden for the annual event organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
The garden will be created in collaboration with gardener and RHS ambassador Jamie Butterworth and BBC Radio 2. DJ Jo Whiley will be creating a doggy playlist with the help of listeners to play in the garden’s summer house.
The design of The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden will showcase how to create a garden for sharing with canine companions, including a lawn for playing and rolling. It will also feature an area that highlights some plants to avoid.
Mr Don said: “This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event.
“Along with the superb team headed by Jamie Butterworth we shall be making a garden that is inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs but above all a celebration of the way that so many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.”
Clare Matterson, RHS director general, added: “It’s exciting to be working with Radio 2 and Monty Don to create a garden that celebrates the connection between two of the UK’s greatest loves – dogs and gardens.”
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will run from 20-24 May 2025.
Image © Shutterstock
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
