The TV garden guru has designed a dog-friendly garden at the Chelsea Flower Show
The King and Queen kicked off their visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, with a tour of the BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden. This unique garden was designed by TV gardener and broadcaster Monty Don, specifically with dogs in mind.
The garden boasts grassy areas, a pet-friendly water feature, and a large tree for shade. The brick paths are etched with the names of cherished pets, including Monty Don’s own dog, Ned.
The Queen took a moment to pat Ned, and the Royal couple were shown bricks bearing the names of their own dogs – the King’s Lagotto Romagnolo, Snuff, and the Queen’s adopted Jack Russell terrier Bluebell, her new puppy Moley, and Beth, another much-loved rescue dog who passed away last year.
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“We have a scruffy lawn,” the TV gardener pointed out, indicating the grass, and added “lots of toys and we have a dog” as he glanced at his pet.
After this week’s show, the dog garden will be relocated to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where Camilla is a patron. Monty Don defended the inclusion of plants toxic to dogs, such as alliums and foxgloves, in the garden, explaining that he has these flowers in his own garden alongside his pets without any problems, reports the Express.
If you’ve been inspired by Monty’s design to spruce up your own outdoor space, we’ve compiled a list of websites where you can find similar plants and other items, including other plants that are more dog-friendly.
Gardening enthusiasts are cautioned that while foxgloves add beauty and attract pollinators, they are not safe for dogs. The Digitalis Pink Panther variety is available from Gardening Express for £12.99.
For those seeking drama in the garden, Alliums promise to make an impact, towering over gardens with symmetrical flower clusters and they’re also available from Gardening Express at a price of £12.99.
Dog owners looking for more canine-friendly plants may find more joy with camellias on special offer at Gardening Express; the large Camellia japonica Volunteer sees its price slashed from £59.99 to £29.99.
One satisfied customer shared their experience: “I ordered four of these to plant in troughs. They arrived very quickly, extremely well packaged, and what’s more, they are absolutely stunning! The new compact ‘ volunteer’ variety are breathtakingly beautiful.”
For other pet-friendly options, sunflowers are considered a safe choice, and B&Q has them on sale – a 20-30cm plant will cost you £12.99.
The beloved gardener Monty Don hinted at the havoc dogs wreak on lawns. However, hope springs with grass seed crafted to resist the ravages of our furry friends.
One such product is available on Amazon. A £12.49 1kg bag of Avern Dog Patch Grass Seed, which claims to be “urine resistant and ” and “durable”.
It’s averaged four stars out of five, with one satisfied customer stating: “The Avern Dog Patch Grass Seed with GroMax has truly worked wonders for my lawn, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. This product has proven to be a game-changer for repairing damaged turf and overseeding, making my lawn look magnificent once again.”
However, another customer did note: “Seems to take a long time to germinate even though I’ve mixed it with topsoil and a very good compost. Not sure if it’s to do with the lack of sun this year though.”
The Chelsea Flower Show continues until Saturday, May 24.