Latest news with #MontyDon
Wales Online
2 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Monty Don urges gardeners to do clematis task before June to guarantee blooms
Monty Don urges gardeners to do clematis task before June to guarantee blooms Clematis flowers are known for their large, open petals, but if you want to guarantee a good display next year, gardening expert Monty Don says you need to do one thing (Image: Getty Images ) Clematis flowers, with their open tapered petals, are a beautiful sight. To ensure even better blooms next year, gardening expert Monty Don recommends one particular tip. These blossom-laden climbers, which originate from China and Japan, are favourite worldwide. There are over 350 different types of clematis flowers globally, ranging from the delicate alpine clematis to the peculiarly furry old man's beard. Many clematis varieties are relatively straightforward to cultivate in the UK. They need either full or partial sun – though they may not bloom as well in shadier areas. They also prefer nutrient-rich soil. Classified as perennial plants, they regrow year after year. However, this doesn't mean they don't need extra care. One of the best ways to enhance your clematis is to spread compost over the soil, reports the Mirror. Compost typically contains a beneficial mix of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. In his blog, Monty writes: "The secret of making it reasonable quickly is to have a good mix of matter high in nitrogen (green) like grass clippings and drier material (brown) that is high in carbon and then to aerate it often by turning it." Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. He says that this doesn't have to be "a major operation". Monty suggests that simply forking through the compost will help circulate air within it. The primary aim is to circulate oxygen throughout the pile, which nurtures the bacteria that devour the decaying matter, transforming it into compost. This process infuses soil with vital bacteria, fungi, and nutrients. Monty claims nit is "better than any product known to man." When unsure about what to include in your compost heap, your kitchen provides a wealth of suitable materials. A variety of food scraps can be turned into an effective fertiliser. The banana peel is a favoured choice due to its high potassium content, which is beneficial for plant growth. These nutrients become readily available to plants as the peels decompose. Article continues below Additionally, you can use fallen leaves from your garden. These are laden with valuable nutrients like carbon. Another unconventional but effective composting material is pet hair. Dog and cat fur may seem odd an odd choice for your plants but they ares exceptionally nitrogen-rich, creating superb feed for plants.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Monty Don says clematis will bloom in summer with 1 task done now
The gardening expert has one tip to ensure the pretty flower thrives When in full bloom, Clematis produce beautiful, eye-catching, shaped flowers. Their striking appearance has made them popular across the world, however gardening genius Monty Don said there is one way to guarantee the blossom-filled climbers will grow bigger next year. Originating in Japan and China, there are over 350 different kinds of clematis flowers globally, include everything from the dainty alpine clematis to the alien furry-looking old man's beard. Many varieties of clematis are relatively easy to grow is sunny conditions. They require either full or partial sun – though they may not flower as well in shadier areas. The most common cause of a clematis failing to bloom is unsuitable growing conditions. Clematis need a moisture retentive but well-drained soil. The roots need to be kept cool and shaded, but growth and flowering will be impaired if the top of the plant is kept in deep shade. They're also classified as perennial plants, which means they grow back year after year. Monty Don said the best way to give your clematis a boost is to spread compost over the soil, reports the Mirror. Compost typically contains a healthy mix of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which are necessary for plant growth. Writing in his blog, Monty said: "The secret of making it reasonable quickly is to have a good mix of matter high in nitrogen (green) like grass clippings and drier material (brown) that is high in carbon and then to aerate it often by turning it." He adds that this doesn't have to be 'a major operation'. He advises that simply forking through the compost will help spread air through it. The main objective is to spread oxygen through the heap. This will feed the bacteria that eat the decomposing material and convert it into compost. Monty adds that it will enrich your soil with essential bacteria, fungi and nutrients. He describes it as being 'better than any product known to man.' If you're not sure what to put in your compost pile, then looking around your kitchen is a great place to start. Many common food scraps can be used to make a great fertiliser. One popular option is to use banana peel. Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps prompt plant growth. Once they break down, these nutrients are easily accessible to plants. Another tip is to use fallen leaves that are lying around your garden. This leftover debris is actually full of nutrients, like carbon. Plus, if you have a dog or cat at home, don't throw out their hair. While it may seem like a weird tip, hair is actually incredibly rich in nitrogen and makes great plant food.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Monty Don's simple roses tip will keep them flowering all summer long
If you want your rose bushes to look their best, the presenter says there's one thing you need to do daily Roses are a symbol of beauty, but to prolong their lifespan, they require proper care. This is particularly crucial during the summer months when temperatures can soar, and plants need regular watering to sustain their photosynthesis. With spring in full swing and summer just around the bend, gardens and patios are awash with stunning, vibrant roses. However, to guarantee their continued blooming, Monty Don has recommended gardeners undertake this straightforward task. June witnesses an abundance of roses in bloom, making them a favourite for summer gardens and floral arrangements. They're a timeless addition to any outdoor area, offering elegance in a variety of colours: red, pink, yellow, orange, blue and more. Each month, Monty Don, renowned for his gardening prowess, shares some of his top tips and tricks on his website to help both experts and novices keep their outdoor spaces as neat and tidy as possible, reports the Mirror. For June, the gardening maestro has offered valuable advice on how to care for roses and ensure their longevity. And the key lies in removing wilting flowers to stimulate new blooms and promote the plant's health. Daily dead-heading of roses is essential He advised: "The secret of keeping any rose flowering as long as possible is to dead-head daily. Do not just pull off the spent petals but use secateurs and cut the spent stem right back to the next leaf or bud below it - however far down that is. This will provoke a side-shoot which in turn will carry more flowers." Monty Don also highlighted the significance of consistent watering for roses during the summer months. In addition, the removal of damaged leaves can prevent the plants from perishing entirely and help them to flourish all year round. By heeding Monty Don's guidance, both novices and seasoned horticulturists can ensure their gardens remain vibrant throughout the summer. A few minutes of daily attention to your roses can promote growth and enhance the overall beauty of your outdoor space. It is equally crucial to water roses diligently, especially when they are freshly planted or subjected to hot, arid conditions. Remember to include this vital step in your gardening routine during June, July and August. Chelsea Flower Show Just last week Monty Don shared his experiences of the intense pressure in creating his inaugural garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Monty collaborated with Form Plants horticulturist Jamie Butterworth to cultivate The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden. A known dog lover, frequently seen with his own pet Ned on Gardeners' World, Monty's latest project caters to the mutual enjoyment of gardens by dogs and their owners alike. Monty discussed the upcoming public debut of his garden on an episode of BBC Breakfast with hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- The Guardian
20 of the UK's best gardens to visit
In the dash for Cumbria's lakes and fells, the area's other green attractions can get missed. On Knipe Scar, at the edge of the Lake District national park, Lowther's acres sprawl around the shell of a ruined 19th-century castle. Wildflower meadows, bee-friendly tree hives and rambling woodland contrast with a parterre, sculptured hornbeams and a Sleeping Beauty-inspired rose garden designed by Dan Pearson. Bikes and ebikes can be rented for pootling around the estate's trails or perhaps a five-mile cycle to Ullswater. There is a Lost Castle adventure playground and a cafe. Before leaving, visit the west terrace for views across the Lowther valley to distant fells. Open daily, adults £15, children £10, While filming his BBC British Gardens series, Monty Don described Rousham as 'one of my favourite gardens of all and one of the truly great gardens of the world'. Rousham is the handiwork of William Kent (1685-1748), whose imaginative use of follies, mysterious 'ta-da' avenues and one of the earliest ha-has blur the line between fantasy and reality. A master of the unbroken view, Kent manipulated the landscape to create a harmonious flow between the garden, the surrounding countryside and Rousham's castellated pile. The estate's 10 hectares (25 acres) include kitchen gardens, a rill, classical statuary, cascades and a seven-arched colonnade overlooking the River Cherwell. The house is still owned by the family who employed Kent to reshape the garden centuries ago. No cafe or children under 15, but picnics are encouraged. House tours on request. Open daily, £10, Laid out in 1927, Parcevall Hall Gardens' 10 hectares surround a Grade II-listed Arts and Crafts-style house set in the Yorkshire Dales national park. The topography and aspect enhance the experience, offering visitors views over the drystone wall-draped contours of Wharfedale to distant limestone crags. Admire plants from around the world, visit the chapel garden, follow a woodland trail, the camellia walk or a cliff trail – or simply listen to the birds and bleating sheep. There are views from the cafe's terrace to the outcrop Simon's Seat, part of the adjoining Bolton Abbey estate. Open April-Oct, adults £10, seniors £9, under-12s free, On Ynys Môn (Anglesey) with views to Eryri national park (Snowdonia), Plas Cadnant feels like a portal to another world. As 70 years' worth of undergrowth was peeled away, the present owner discovered enchanting spaces, including a walled garden that dips in a graceful catenary curve and a woodland garden containing the remains of a 19th-century folly. Steps lead down to an enchanting 'valley garden' where four waterfalls splosh into the River Cadnant. Some of the outbuildings and a gardener's cottage have been converted into holiday accommodation, and guests have full access to the gardens and April-Oct, adults £11.50, concs £2.50-£10.50, The Coach House, from £720 for three nights for up to seven people This Georgian walled garden has the national snowdrop collection. Woodland walks lead to the sea, and from February to mid-March there are showstopping carpets of yellow aconites, snowdrops (and possibly snowflakes). In April, blossom and the scent of wild garlic fill the air, followed by the rich collection of alliums. In June, it is the turn of Cambo's historic roses. There are imaginative spaces for children to explore (think secret doors and fairies) and golden beaches. The Stables Cafe serves vegetarian and vegan food. If you'd like to stay longer, there are cabins to rent, including a bothy with views towards the Fife coast. Open daily, adults £7.95, under-16s free, The Bothy, sleeps four, from £550 for two nights in June Set in rolling countryside close to the Devil's Water river, Dilston is a garden that whispers 'slow down'. Over three decades, a hectare of agricultural land has been transformed into a flourishing wildlife garden filled with more than 700 flowers, herbs, vegetables and trees planted with biodiversity and natural healing in mind. A rewilding and wetland area has encouraged native flora, such as the Northumbrian bloody cranesbill, to thrive. Visit the 'spirit henge', breathe in the fragrant camomile lawn, wander the labyrinth and buy products made with ingredients from the garden in the shop (proceeds to the registered charity). Dilston is on the Corbridge Heritage Trail, and a scenic 20-minute walk along the Tyne from Corbridge station. Open Wed-Sun, April-Oct, Fri-Sun, Nov-March, adults £8, concs £4, This tranquil, Grade I-listed garden is home to redwoods, giant oaks and the renowned Loderi rhododendron hybrids. Paths meander around lakes and through sculpture-studded parkland, lawns and forests, and visitors can join daffodil, bluebell and acer walks. In the autumn, the garden is ablaze with oranges, golds and delicate pinks, while winter brings spectacular illuminations. Children will love the wallaby enclosure (introduced in 1889), doll's house museum and the new play park. You can stay overnight at Leonardslee House, where the Michelin-starred restaurant showcases garden-foraged ingredients. Open daily, adults £15.50, children £8.50, Doubles at Leonardslee House from £240 B&B Ventnor Botanic Gardens' 9 hectares luxuriate in an enviable microclimate at Ventnor Undercliff. Gardeners here use the Ventnor Method, which allows plants to grow where they sow. A vast collection of rare and subtropical species includes the national collection of half-hardy and hardy puya, the giant viper's bugloss and a renowned collection of red-hot pokers. Follow the Champion Tree Trail and head off the beaten track to find secluded seating areas and clifftop meadows with sea views. Hops grow on the clifftop to the south of the garden. Partnering with a local brewer, VBC produces a Botanic Ale, a Botanic Pale Ale and a Botanic Lager. Book an overnight stay to enjoy free access to the garden and evening walks along the coastal path; take your pick from two Victorian cottages and three cabins dotted around the grounds. Open daily, adults £11.50, children £7, Doubles at the dog-friendly Cabin from £80 (min two nights) Armed with a 19th-century Ordnance Survey map and a black-and-white photo, the owners of the Old Vicarage picked up their shovels and set about restoring the acres around their house on the north Norfolk coast. The result, 40 years on, is a practical and creative triumph featuring beautiful gardens, an enfilade of lawns and an 'apple walk'. Some of the traditional – and windproof – wildlife habitat lost to modern farming methods is now restored. The Arizona-inspired Desert Wash garden is planted with drought-tolerant plants such as South American bromeliads, agaves and aloe. The cornfield has self-seeding poppies, corn marigolds and corn camomile, and there are shelterbelts of Monterey pine, Italian alders, holm oak and eucalyptus. A meditative space contains 16 Indian bean trees. Open Wed-Sun and bank holidays, March-Oct, adults £14.50, children £2, From swept gravel and teahouses, to stone lanterns and zigzag bridges, every aspect of a Japanese garden holds meaning. At Cowden you can unpick the symbolism or simply enjoy the garden in its purest sense – as a tranquil space where everything is in its place. Cowden was inspired by the travels of a wealthy adventurer, Ella Christie, who commissioned Japanese horticulturist Taki Handa to design a garden in the boggy grounds of her home, Cowden Castle. A 10-year restoration, completed in 2023, was overseen by Chelsea flower show gold and best in show winner Prof Masao Fukuhara. The gardens undulate through woodland and over gentle hills dotted with cherry blossom, maples and acers. On the Christie Walk, you might spot Indian rhubarb, the heart-shaped leaves of the katsura tree and the petals of the Himalayan blue poppy fluttering in the breeze. Workshops include cyanotype printing and kintsugi (the art of repairing pottery). Open daily except Tue, adults £9.85, seniors £8.75, children £5.75, You may have seen this 16th-century, English Heritage-listed house and its garden 'rooms' on screen in Disney's Christopher Robin, ITV's Agatha Christie's Poirot or the BBC's 2017 adaptation of EM Forster's Howards End. A Gertrude Jekyll-designed water garden is a highlight of the 2 hectares. Crossed by bridges and stone paths, the water garden contains 1,500 plants nurtured at Jekyll's Munstead Wood nursery. Traditional rose varieties bloom in the Old Garden, and an orchard leads to a yew walk where pears fruit on a crinkle crankle wall and ferns sprout from Bargate stone – the medieval quarries that provided it can still be seen in the surrounding hills. Open April to the first week in July, £10 (cash only), On National Garden Scheme days, tickets must be booked in advance Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Stockton Bury is part of a working farm that once belonged to Leominster Priory. Gardens sprawl around medieval buildings including a pigeon house, hop kiln and tithe barn (now a cafe). There is also a glasshouse, water garden and cider orchard. May brings drifts of the rare, goblet-shape Sprenger's tulip, and the delicate tea rose blooms from early summer into autumn. Garden-grown damsons, plums, apples and raspberries make their way on to the cafe's menu, and the 'secret garden' rewards explorers with views to the Black Mountains across the Welsh border. Gardener Tamsin Westhorpe runs bespoke tours, and there are botanical painting workshops during the summer. Open Wed-Sun, April-Sept, adults £9, children £5, At Logan, on Scotland's south-western tip, Gulf Stream currents nurture exotics from five continents. Giant palms, eucalyptus and luxuriant tree ferns tower over Brazilian gunneras and other non-natives, such as angel's fishing rods, which dangle their bell-like heads over the pond. Sit here with your phone switched off and watch damselflies skit (Logan has subscribed to the Silent Space scheme). The conservatory, which houses South African tree heathers and a pelargonium collection, was the first public glasshouse in the UK to be heated entirely by green energy sources. Look out for guided walks and have a peep down a microscope in the Discovery Centre. There's a cafe on March-Oct, adults £9, concs £7.80, under-16s free, A visit to Felley Priory could be one of the best motorway breaks you make. Set in rolling countryside a mile from the M1, this all-season garden delights with fiery autumn colours, flower-draped pergolas, traditional roses and 60 varieties of snowdrops. Spring brings woodland bluebells and a daffodil soup of yellows, apricots, oranges and whites, as rare daff varieties light up the orchard. Take advantage of the plant nursery and tearoom, which has gluten-free menu options. The 12th-century house is Tue-Fri, plus the first and third Sun of each month from March-Sept, adults £8.50, seniors £7.50, under-16s free, Donated to the public by the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme in 1902, Rivington sits within Lever Park on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Leverhulme went all out by commissioning an unusual seven-arched bridge based on one he had seen in Nigeria, a sitting room at the top of a four-storey pigeon tower, five summer houses set on lawns and a replica of Liverpool Castle. In all, there are 11 Grade-II listed structures to explore (suffragette Edith Rigby burned down Lever's original house) along with rock gardens and grottoes, a wide variety of fungi, a Japanese garden and an Italian lake, where Leverhulme took daily dips. Open daily, free entry, With its small beach, ancient Cornish orchard and pontoon on the River Fal, the National Trust's Trelissick isn't your average garden. Paths wind through Brobdingnagian sub-tropical gardens, and dawn-till-dusk woodland walks bring snapshots of the river. Spring delivers magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and fountains of wisteria; later in the year, it's the turn of ginger lilies, dahlias and bananas. The King Harry Ferry departs from Trelissick to St Mawes and Falmouth, and there is a lovely walk around Restronguet Creek to the thatched-roofed Pandora Inn (allow three hours for the walk) for a creekside afternoon tea. The orchard's restored screw-turn apple press will be in action over Apple Weekend in October. Stay the night in Trelissick Tower, or the restored Trelissick Engine House, and enjoy access to the garden. Open daily, adults £17, children £8.50, Two nights at the Trelissick Engine House, sleeps three, from £439 Former US president Franklin D Roosevelt visited Easton with his wife, Eleanor, in 1905, as part of their honeymoon, and described the gardens, now 464 years old, as 'A dream of Nirvana … almost too good to be true'. Gardener Ursula Cholmeley began a large-scale restoration in 2001. Now the gardens brim with snowdrops, flower-filled meadows and David Austin roses. In season, 50 varieties of sweet pea flourish. Look out for 'purple pimpernel', 'clotted cream', 'watermelon' and 'Albutt Blue'. There is a pub on the estate, with real fires and a suntrap garden, and guests staying at Easton's lodge or loft apartments have free access to the gardens. There are EV charge points, too. Open Wed-Sun and bank holiday Mon, 12 Feb-21 Dec, adults £12 (half price Nov and Dec), children £5, Loft apartments from £160 a night The restored 18th-century walled garden at Hillsborough is a gem. Walking around the beds you will see heritage varieties such as golden beetroot mixed with modern ones such as par-cel (which looks like parsley but tastes like celery). Visit the cafe for garden-to-plate 'walled garden scallion potato bread' and an afternoon tea featuring a 'garden beetroot brownie' and 'walled garden raspberry posset with thyme shortbread'. The rest of the garden is full of interest. The lake is fed by a stream which meanders through the gardens, and a pinetum contains a stand of giant sequoias planted in the 1870s. In the grotto, a statue of the Irish warrior poet Ossian and an accompanying bench and stones tell his story and explain the castle's links to the romantic movement and the Gaelic revival. Open daily, gardens £10.30, children £5.20, castle and garden adults £20.80, children £10.40, The Arts and Crafts Manor House at Upton Grey is striking in its own right, but laid around it is a garden with a rare boast: it is believed to be the most complete and authentic existing example of a Gertrude Jekyll-designed garden. When owners John and Rosamund Wallinger purchased the 2‑hectare site in 1984, it was nearly derelict, but after they discovered the eminent garden designer's original plans for the garden, they embarked upon a remarkable journey of faithful restoration. Situated east of Basingstoke, Upton Grey features wild, kitchen and rose gardens, the nuttery, and a yew-hedged formal garden filled with the hallmarks of Jekyll planting design: lofty hollyhocks and azure delphiniums, billowing phlox, poppies and Mon-Fri, May-July, entry £7, One of Britain's premier romantic gardens, Iford Manor meets formality with enrapturing naturalism: euphorbia and catmint soften the stone terraces, roses clamber up the columns; a 200-year-old wisteria romps in unbridled profusion. Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, beside the River Frome in Wiltshire, Iford was the home in the early 20th century of influential architect and garden designer Harold Peto, who augmented its Georgian roots with Italianate flare and finesse. There are intimate cloisters and grand steps, a tranquil Japanese garden, and masterfully positioned statues and architectural fragments, while more modern additions include an award-winning restaurant and bakery. For the last half-century, Iford has been under the stewardship of the Cartwright-Hignett family who, with current head gardener Steve Lannin, are continuing the garden's expressive legacy. Book in advance to ensure Wed-Sun, 2 April-Sept, adults £10, children £9, under-10s not permitted, Additional reporting by Matt Collins
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Monty Don's dog-friendly garden gets tails wagging at the Chelsea flower show
Can you hear it? That sound of the horticultural industry exhaling? We are at the end of the Chelsea flower show, AKA Gardening Christmas. Designers, contractors, nurseries, growers and gardeners have been beetling away building things, attending things, observing things from a distance and generally finding the whole event a delicious, exhausting, engaging, controversial affair. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Perhaps you pore over it on the telly, perhaps you brave the queues and the floral-dressed crowds, perhaps you ignore it entirely, but Chelsea does set the metronome and the bellwether for gardening trends that, like Anne Hathaway's infamous cerulean sweater in The Devil Wears Prada, filter down to what we do in our own gardens several seasons later. Corten steel, Mediterranean planting, the rise of the wildflower, outdoor kitchens: all were spotted first at Chelsea. This year has a surprisingly canine focus, with Monty Don – usually busy hosting the BBC coverage, or swapping the press tent for the plush of the velvet banquettes in the Newt hospitality suite – designing the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden. When this was announced last autumn, it was proclaimed the show's first dog-friendly garden (which is not true: Jo Thompson made one back in 2012). Nevertheless, the focus on making beautiful gardens that are practical for our furry friends is something designers traditionally overlook; one once told me the worst part of the job was having to dodge dog poo while doing a recce on a new site. Three years after Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt set tongues (not tails) wagging with their best-in-show-winning rewilded garden, 'weedy' lawns are firmly back on the agenda. Don's garden, which was designed by a team headed by Jamie Butterworth, features dandelions, clover and daisies, all meticulously transported from RHS Garden Wisley. Diverse lawns are more hardy for the needs of pet ownership, as well as offering many new things to sniff. But clover is especially good because it remains green during periods of drought and the onslaught of dog pee, whereas grass will yellow. You can add some in by making bare patches with a rake (if your dog hasn't made some already) and sowing over with white clover – now is the perfect time. Obviously, you'll want to avoid planting what is toxic to dogs – among the varieties to avoid are azaleas, autumn crocus and lilies. But dog-friendly gardens will actively include forgiving, clump-forming plants that don't mind a bit of a bash. Rosemary puts up with such things, as do roses (which have thorns), as well as hardy geraniums, Alchemilla mollis. Active diggers may benefit from a designated area in which to dig, not unlike a sandpit for small children, which can be shielded with greenery or hidden inside a raised bed. Whether your dog will choose to dig there over a flowerbed is a matter beyond my horticultural knowledge.
