As many dog owners can attest, dogs and gardens can sometimes be an uncomfortable combination. Dogs, with their unwanted digging, can ruin a clean lawn or uproot prized plants.
But now gardener and well-known dog lover Monty Don will design a garden dedicated to dogs for the Chelsea Flower Show.
The veteran Gardeners’ World presenter’s garden, the RHS said, will be aimed at the country’s dog owners who want beautiful spaces for themselves and their furry friends, and will inspire millions of dog lovers at home to create green havens for them and their pets.
Monty Don has commented on the efforts of his fellow garden designers at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) event for two decades. And although the garden will not be entering the competition (to compete for the coveted Best in Show award), other garden designers will no doubt enjoy the opportunity to judge Don’s efforts.
Readers of Monty’s columns in the Daily Mail will know of his deep love of dogs. She currently has two: Ned, a Golden Retriever, and Patti, a Yorkshire terrier.
Monty Don (pictured) to design dog-friendly garden for Chelsea Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has teamed up with Gardeners’ World Monty Don for its first garden in Chelsea, which aims to give owners of green-fingered dogs ideas to create a haven for themselves and their pets at next year’s fair month of may.
On Sunday, he posted a photo of his old dog Nellie on Instagram, who died last year, writing: “Nellie died a year ago today and I remember her not with sadness but with gratitude for the way she enriched my life.” “No other dog I’ve ever had was so in tune, not just with me but with the whole family.”
Monty wants the garden, created in a joint initiative with Radio 2, to be an example of all the things dogs love (regardless of the horticultural trend) and a beautiful space that any dog owner would love.
Yesterday he said: “Together with the excellent team led by Jamie Butterworth, we will create a garden inspired by (his own garden) Longmeadow and my own dogs, but above all a celebration of the way many of us share our gardens with our canine companions. .’
In the center of the garden there will be a neatly mowed lawn, which “is essential for dogs to lie down, sleep, roll, tumble, chip and chase balls”, and a large tree will provide shade over the lawn, so the dogs can lie down. a hot afternoon.
The lawn will become longer grass planted with spring-flowering ornamental bulbs to create more of a tame flower meadow than a wildflower meadow.
Brick paths run straight creating views, a touch of Longmeadow, one providing the route through the garden for visitors and another at right angles leading to the summer house.
Monty wants the garden, created in collaboration with Radio 2, to be an example of everything dogs love.
On Sunday, Don posted a photo of his old dog Nellie on Instagram, who died last year, writing: “Nellie died a year ago today and I remember her not with sadness but with gratitude for the way she enriched my life.”
Monty Don has commented on the efforts of other garden designers at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) event for two decades.
To reflect the special place dogs hold in our hearts and gardens, the paths will be inscribed with the names of dogs belonging to Radio 2 presenters and RHS ambassadors, as well as, of course, Monty’s beloved dog Ned.
As a sponsor of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, where the Dog Garden will live after RHS Chelsea, Her Majesty The Queen’s adopted Jack Russell Terriers, Beth and Bluebell, will also appear along the way.
Within The RHS and Radio 2’s dog garden, a separate area will be a place for humans to enjoy a beautiful tapestry of plants to raise awareness about certain plants that are toxic to dogs and other pets. Here there will be a mix of planting of familiar but favorite plants, as well as a distinct ball theme with many alliums and topiary balls of different sizes and types.
The public will not be able to bring their dogs to see the garden, as they are not allowed at the Flower Show, except for guide dogs.
Following the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden will remain across the River Thames at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to be enjoyed by all the rescued dogs and the people who work and volunteer there.
Clare Matterson, RHS chief executive, said: “Nothing lifts us up like a beautiful garden and then, for that extra bit of joy, we’ve added some wagging tails.”
‘Throughout 2025, we really want to celebrate that we are here for all gardeners; Dog lovers, families, avid cooks, houseplant fans, everyone, and this garden is a great example of how people can bring their passions to life in their outdoor spaces.
