Beloved UK gardener’s canine helper adds charm to prestigious floral exhibition
The British people adore their gardens, and they also have a deep affection for dogs. At this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, these dual loves were beautifully combined through the expertise of the nation’s cherished horticulturist, Monty Don.
In London, Britain’s King Charles III (center) stroked Ned, the pet of British presenter and horticulture specialist Monty Don, during their attendance at the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden event as part of the preview day for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on May 19, 2025.
(Copyright: Toby Melville / POOL / AFP)
Has Don crafted an exclusive garden for the exhibition aimed at pleasing both mankind’s best companion and their owner (whether male or female)?
The lawn serves as a space where dogs can run, play, roll around, and relax, furnished with a wooden bench adorned with plush cushions.
Despite an anticipated turnout of around 140,000 guests over the course of the five-day event organized by the Royal Horticultural Society, the highlight for many would be the exclusive appearance by the nation’s foremost dog enthusiasts, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, scheduled for Monday.
The horticulture enthusiast Monty Don, who is 69 years old, has turned into a well-known figure nationwide after captivating TV viewers for the last 22 years as the host of the beloved BBC show “Gardeners’ World.”
Every week, this self-taught gardener imparts his expertise, offering tender pieces of advice along with strategies and shortcuts to ensure that UK gardens flourish throughout every season.
Paddington has had his dogs by his side, including a golden retriever named Ned, who entertain viewers with their antics as they accompany Don through the 8,000 square meters (two acres) of his garden in Longmeadow, near the Welsh border.
– Simple –
As he has consistently gardened alongside a canine companion, Don mentioned that relying on Ned for ideas came naturally when tasked with designing a pet-friendly garden for the Chelsea Flower Show.
A few weeks back, Ned was set free in a garden brimming with various plants. This allowed the designers to trace the paths he followed as he explored using his sense of smell and investigating intriguing scents.
“Ideally, we expected Ned to navigate gracefully around the plants with sweeping movements. Instead, each time he wandered away, he came back to Monty using the exact same path. Consequently, we adjusted our plan according to this behavior,” explained landscape designer Jamie Butterworth.
In the Chelsea garden, there’s a frisbee lying on the grass, and a small brook where dogs can splash to refresh themselves following an energetic round of fetching. Afterward, they might stretch out on a bench or seek tranquility inside a quaint hut.
Don mentioned that he aimed for a rather straightforward garden. He explained there’s no deeper message or concealed backstory; it simply is as it appears.
On Sunday, a fox even managed to sneak in for a nap.
This marks the first time Don has been tasked with designing a garden for the esteemed exhibition, which has been organized by the Royal Horticulture Society since 1913.
– Tousled lawn –
The lawn is abundant with dandelions, daisies, and clover — quite different from the well-manicured grass typically preferred by the British.
Don sought simplicity with his hazelnut trees, hyacinths, and spring blossoms.
The brick paths, drawing inspiration from his garden at Longmeadow, feature inscriptions bearing the names of various dogs. Among them are the cherished terriers belonging to Camilla—Bluebell and Beth—who were welcomed into their home after being rescued from an animal shelter.
Beth passed away due to a tumor in November, and the royal family shared the news via social media.
In May 2023, Camilla had the dogs’ silhouettes intricately sewn onto her coronation gown using golden threads.
Monty Don’s garden won’t be part of the competition among the 30 other gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show. However, he acknowledges that his creation will face scrutiny from the general public, admitting that this makes him feel anxious.
Following the performance, Ned’s garden will be gifted to London’s Battersea Dogs and Cats Home so that it can keep bringing joy to furry companions.
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