Monty Don is no stranger to the annual RHS Chelsea Flower Show, but next year he'll have his own garden for the first time which will prioritise some very special guests - dogs!
The Gardener's World presenter has announced he will be designing his first garden to be dog-friendly, and has revealed some of the key details about the layout. For instance, the garden will include a lawn in the centre for dogs to roll and play on and a tree to offer shade. There will also be a decorative meadow planted with bulbs and brick paths to a summerhouse.
Sentimental details will be included on the bricks in the path, including the name of Monty's own golden retriever, Ned, as well as those of RHS ambassadors, Radio 2 presenters and the Queen's Jack Russells, Beth and Bluebell, according to a release from the RHS.
Radio 2's Jo Whiley has also got involved with the garden and will be curating a dog themed playlist to accompany the design, which will be relocated to Battersea Cat and Dog's home (of which the Queen is patron) when Chelsea Flower Show ends.
If you want to create your own dog friendly garden, the RHS recommends making sure its secure, so pets can't escape. There should also be shade for them to cool off in as well as plenty of textures to explore and room to play in. Some plants, such as sunflowers, however, are not safe for pets so it's important to choose carefully.
Chelsea Flower Show tickets for next year are already on sale, and the event will take place between 20 and 24 May 2025 in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
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If you can't get down to London in person, you can also watch Chelsea Flower Show on TV during the event, and in the meantime check out all the Chelsea winners from previous years in each category, plus the various plant of the year winners.
