Monty Don has sparked controversy among viewers after revealing an “invasive” plant choice in the latest episode of BBC Gardeners’ World.
The renowned horticulturist, 68, raised eyebrows after showcasing his “plant of the week” on the popular BBC One show last Thursday, despite it being considered potentially invasive by the Royal Horticultural Society when exposed to hot, dry conditions.
Eagle-eyed viewers took to social media to highlight their concerns about Monty’s plant of choice: Verbena bonariensis.
Broadcasting from her garden in Longmeadow, she introduced the plant to her audience, adding: ‘I have some Verbena bonariensis here.
‘This is a tray of seedlings, self-sown all around, that I have potted up over the last few months and are now ready to plant out just to fill in the empty spaces around the edge.’
Monty Don has sparked controversy among viewers after revealing a selection of “invasive” plants in the latest episode of BBC Gardeners’ World.
He praised the plant for its aesthetic appeal, describing its “tall stem topped with purple flowers that last for weeks and weeks and continue to be produced well into the fall.”
Highlighting the species’ ease of growth, he added: “As long as it gets half a day of sun, it will grow practically anywhere.”
In a recent Instagram post mailGardeners’ World magazine also noted: “Its long flowering season makes it perfect for adding height and structure to low-maintenance gardens and herbaceous borders, and it’s an excellent choice for attracting butterflies.”
However, some viewers were left skeptical about the horticulturist’s choice.
One viewer took to social media platform X and wrote: ‘Hmm @TheMontyDon planting verbena bonariensis in #gardenersworld despite it being considered for addition to the invasive species list?’
According to the Royal Horticultural SocietyVerbena bonariensis is considered a “bully plant,” meaning a type of plant that can quickly get out of control in the garden, even though it is not considered a weed.
Verbena bonariensis is a “prolific” self-seeding plant that can go wild when exposed to the right growing conditions (in the case of this particular species, hot, dry climates).
The reaction to Monty’s choice of the week is rooted in recent research by the University of Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society, which has compiled a shortlist of plants requiring further investigation for their invasive potential in the UK.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Verbena bonariensis is considered a “bully plant,” which is described as a type of plant that can quickly get out of hand in the garden.
Monty praised the plant for its aesthetic appeal, describing its “tall stem topped with purple flowers that last for weeks and weeks and continue to be produced well into the fall.”
This initiative arose from an online survey where gardeners reported that ornamental plants were displaying invasive behavior in their gardens, as reported by Devon Live.
The 251 species identified included popular choices such as Mexican flea beetle and Himalayan honeysuckle, as well as Verbena bonariensis, highlighting potential threats to native biodiversity.
Meanwhile, Monty Don has shared essential gardening jobs that green-fingered enthusiasts can do in July, and reveals three plants that should be pruned straight away for optimal growth.
As the height of summer brings a combination of high humidity and warm days and nights, plants have maximum exposure to the sun, making July a key month for certain gardening tasks.
The 68-year-old horticulturist and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter has put together a list of essential jobs for this month on his blog, offering useful tips and advice to help gardeners make the most of their outdoor spaces.