Monty Don's first garden in Chelsea will allow dogs

Some gardeners at Chelsea Flower Present may balk at the idea of ​​a dog poking around their prize roses.

But Monty Don is designing his first garden in Chelsea for next year's event and making it dog-friendly.

Gardeners' World viewers will be familiar with Don's pets, who accompany him as he plants and prunes, specifically his golden retrievers, Nigel and Nell, who died in recent years. She now has a Yorkshire terrier, Patti, and recently adopted a golden retriever puppy named Ned.

No dogs, except guide dogs, are allowed at Chelsea, which is housed at the Royal Horticultural Society. Organizers are including a dog-friendly garden to make the event more inclusive.

Clare Matterson, general director of the RHS, said: “Throughout 2025, we really want to celebrate that we are here for all gardeners – dog lovers, families, keen cooks, indoor plant fans, everyone – and this garden. is a great example. of how individuals can bring their passions to life in their outdoor spaces.”

Well-cut lawns are no longer de rigueur at the fair, with a trend towards the reconstruction of natural spaces encouraging designers to opt for wildflower meadows.

Don is bucking the trend. In the center of the The yard will be a well-kept lawn, which he believes is essential for dogs to lie down, sleep, roll, tumble, bite and chase balls. It will also include a large tree for shade and will be inspired by its Longmeadow garden, which includes brick paths, a summer house and a meadow planted with ornamental bulbs. Radio 2's Jo Whiley will also curate a dog-themed playlist for the garden, which will play throughout the show from the summer house.

The brick paths will be inscribed with the names of dogs belonging to Radio 2 presenters and RHS ambassadors, as well as Monty's dog Ned. The garden will move after the show to the home of Battersea Canines and Cats, of which Queen Camilla is the patron, so her adopted Jack Russell Terriers, Beth and Bluebell, will also appear along the way.

Don said: “This is a compelling opportunity to join the RHS and Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world's biggest horticultural event. “Together with the magnificent team led by Jamie Butterworth, we will create a garden inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs, but above all a celebration of the way many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.”

A tribute to Nigel, who died in 2020, is planted in Don's garden in Herefordshire: Don created a topiary golden retriever to look after him when he works in the garden, just as Nigel did. He had previously said that he really likes dogs because “they are not human.”