Four viral garden trends making guests cringe as soon as they walk in to your space, according to royal gardener

Scottish Sun

20-05-2025

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A FORMER royal gardener has revealed four trends that leave guests cringing as soon as they walk into your garden.
With another bank holiday just around the corner, many of us have likely made plans to invite friends and family over for BBQs or garden parties.
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Jack was a royal gardener for more than 20 years
Credit: Twitter/X
However, guests could be secretly judging your outdoor space, Jack Stooks, who worked at the Highgrove Estate for over 20 years, revealed.
Grass Chairs or Sofas
Chairs made from mounds of soil that have been turfed over were a trend a few years ago, but according to Jack, are guaranteed to make guests cringe.
"You had these turf-like seats in the garden, which might sound like a great idea", he told Fabulous, on behalf of Fruity King.
"I think you even used to be able to buy the innards made out of cardboard that you'd fill with soil and then you'd plant grass seed over - they're a bit cringey.
"They don't ever really do that well. You can never really sit in them and people don't tend to anyway because the grass is always either wet or it's too dry and then it just becomes sort of like a muddy patch."
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass was a huge trend in the '70s, but Jack said that if you still have it in your garden, it's bound to make guests cringe.
"I consider it massively cringey whenever you see them in a garden," he said.
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Jack revealed that Pampas grass is bound to make guests cringe
Credit: Alamy
"A friend of mine recently moved house and as soon as I walked into the garden, it was the first thing I noticed."
Plus, thanks to the urban myth that if you have Pampas grass in your garden you're a swinger, this might be a trend to avoid.
Gardens Full of Gnomes
Having gnomes in your garden may add a touch of whimsical charm to your outdoor space, but Jack revealed that having too many of them is a huge no no.
"I'm not saying don't have them," he said.
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Jack recommended sticking to just one or two gnomes
Credit: Getty
"But maybe just stick to having one or two gnomes.
"You shouldn't have like 20 gnomes around a fishing pond or playing sports on the lawn, that's what I would consider as very cringe."
Themed Gardens
You may be tempted to fashion your garden into a shrine to your favourite film or book, but according to Jack, this is bound to make your guests cringe.
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Jack advised against theming your garden around a favourite book or film
Credit: Alamy
"For example, when people go off to Disney, and then come back and think that their garden should be Disneyland-themed and try to re-create this in their garden.
"Or they go to see a movie, like Titanic, and they might try and create this in their garden.
"It just reminds me of a crazy golf course - but in a garden!
"Just stick to a classic garden, as nothing beats those in my opinion."