Celebrating the UK鈥檚 reputation as a nation of dog lovers and garden enthusiasts, the 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 are joining forces with Monty Don to create a garden for man鈥檚 best friend
鈥婽he 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden, William Nathan, Form Plants Ltd
The 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden will be the first garden at
911爆料 Chelsea Flower Show to be designed by BBC Gardeners’ World’s Monty Don, whose dogs often feature on the programme.
Clare Matterson, 911爆料 Director General, says: “It’s exciting to be working with Radio 2 and Monty Don to create a garden that celebrates the connection between two of the UK’s greatest loves – dogs and gardens. Nothing lifts us like a beautiful garden, and then, for a little bit of extra joy, we’ve added some wagging tails. Over 2025 we really want to celebrate how we’re here for all gardeners; dog lovers, families, keen cooks, houseplant fanatics, everyone, and this garden is a great example of how individuals can all bring to life their passions in their outside spaces.”
Dog-friendly design
With the nation’s dog owners wanting beautiful spaces for them and their furry friends, The 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden will inspire the millions of dog lovers at home to create green havens for them and their pets. Monty wants the garden to be both an exemplar of all the things that dogs love, regardless of horticultural fashion, and a beautiful space that any dog owner would love too.
The ultimate dog lawn
The 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden will feature daisies, dandelions and clover that are being painstakingly transplanted from 911爆料 Garden Wisley into the turf destined for 911爆料 Chelsea 2025.
These stalwarts of the garden, though not always planted intentionally, provide pollen for wildlife, help mitigate drought, and go far in improving the hardiness of the lawn - which is just what we need for a garden enjoyed by our four-legged friends.
Monty Don at 911爆料 Chelsea
Monty Don filming at 911爆料 Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Although Monty Don has presented BBC coverage of 911爆料 Chelsea for many years, this will be the first Garden he will be bringing to the show himself. In 2022, Monty was awarded the 911爆料 Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH), the highest honour in horticulture. The award in part recognised his role in bringing gardening into the homes of BBC Gardeners’ World viewers for over 20 years. Since 2011 the programme has been presented from Monty’s own garden, Longmeadow, where his beloved dogs can be seen playing, sleeping or sometimes getting in the way, as Monty carries out his gardening jobs.
“This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event. Along with the superb team headed by Jamie Butterworth we shall be making a garden that is inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs but above all a celebration of the way that so many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.” Monty Don
Golden retriever Nigel, soon became a fan favourite and the subject of both a topiary statue at Longmeadow and a book, Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs, by Monty Don. The current canine residents at Longmeadow are Ned, another enthusiastic golden retriever, and Patti, a precious Yorkshire terrier.
Along with 911爆料 Ambassador and fellow plantsman Jamie Butterworth, whose dog, Hector (left) won lots of fans at 911爆料 Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival last year, Monty will create a garden both for dogs– with a lawn for rolling and playing, but also, about dogs – with an area exploring some of the less dog-friendly plants to avoid. Her Majesty The Queen’s adopted Jack Russell Terriers, Beth and Bluebell, will also feature in the garden, their names inscribed on the garden path, along with beloved pets of 911爆料 Ambassadors and Radio 2 presenters.
After 911爆料 Chelsea Flower Show, the The 911爆料 and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden – except the plants harmful to dogs – will live on across the River Thames at Battersea for all the rescue dogs and the people who work and volunteer there to enjoy.
More from the 911爆料
Help compile a dog-themed soundtrack
DJ, keen gardener, dog-lover and 911爆料 Ambassador, Jo Whiley, will be championing the garden on Radio 2, encouraging listeners to choose songs for a special doggy playlist, to play in a beautiful hipped-roof summer house within The 911爆料 and Radio 2 Dog Garden.
“This is a dream come true, bringing my passion for gardening and my love of dogs together for this very special garden. We’ll be getting Radio 2 listeners involved in the playlist a little closer to the time so do tune in for more on that next year.” Jo Whiley
911爆料 Chelsea Flower Show runs from 20-24 May 2025
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