Monty Don has urged dog owners to be 'sensible' about plants which could harm their pets as he prepares to unveil his dog-friendly garden at the Chelsea Flower Show .
The horticulturalist and BBC The host of Gardeners' World has joined forces with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to create his inaugural—and "hopefully final"—garden at Chelsea, designed specifically with canine companions in mind. The space includes amenities such as a grassy area, shallow water for them to cool off in, and shady spots under trees.
Don defended the inclusion of plants that can be toxic to dogs in the garden, such as alliums and foxgloves, saying they were blooms he had alongside his pets without problems in his own garden.
The RHS and Radio 2 dog garden, which will not be judged, will be relocated to nearby Battersea Dogs & Cats Home after the world-famous event at the Chelsea Hospital, west London .
Don, aged 69, mentioned that they would take out any plants the charity decided against including in the planting project.
The horticulturist, who has been presenting at Chelsea since 1990 and has continuously reported on the event for the BBC for over ten years, mentioned that developing the garden was an incredibly humbling experience. This process greatly increased his admiration for both the designers and creators behind the gardens showcased at RHS Chelsea.
At the location where his garden is currently under wraps during construction, he shared: "Regardless of the type of garden or its quality—whether good or poor—it involves an incredibly daunting amount of effort due to all the intricate details one must manage."
He mentioned that he was excited about returning to present coverage for the upcoming week's show following his side gig as a designer, referring to it as 'moonlighting.'
I now truly understand the entire process. It turns out I required this knowledge, which is quite humbling.
Don, initially contacted by the RHS to create a canine-friendly garden, stated that he didn’t wish this venture, developed alongside horticulturist Jamie Butterworth, to convey any messages beyond focusing on dogs.
I desired to visit a Chelsea garden that had no particular message, wasn’t placed in an unusual setting, but stood squarely rooted in 2025 within England. This garden would be brimming with flora either possessed by me or available for purchase at any nearby garden center, complemented by indigenous trees or shrubs well-acclimated to the region.
The lawn plays a key role in the storyline and is encircled by plantings that form varying routes for dogs to navigate through the garden. Additionally, there’s a spacious open-fronted ‘doghouse’ featuring an aged couch where the pets can seek shelter.
The garden includes expansive areas of tall meadow grass where dogs can comfortably rest, according to Don, who mentioned that Radio 2 host Jo Wiley proposed incorporating a section of water for dogs to splash around in, inspired by her own experiences with her pets, Don explained.
The garden exudes a playful vibe, thanks to the inclusion of dogwood and spherical alliums that remind one of bouncy balls favored by dogs. Additionally, terracotta pots adorned with paw prints from Don’s dog, Ned—who often accompanies Don during his gardening segments on Gardeners' World—add an extra touch of charm.
However, even though the lawn appears as if it has been utilized by both dogs and humans, the team hasn’t gone so far as to include actual dig holes or 'urine rings.'
And Don said: 'There are plants in the garden that are technically poisonous to dogs.
Nevertheless, every plant mentioned belongs to my personal collection, and I’ve consistently owned dogs.
In my opinion, the primary plant I am concerned about is yew, but we don't have it in our garden.
'From what I've seen, both dogs and their owners tend to be reasonable.'
Don stated, "Our task is to create an exquisite garden for Chelsea. The rule is that only my dogs or those explicitly invited will be permitted on the premises, and they must remain on a leash and under control at all times."
"When it arrives at Battersea, it won’t include any plants that Battersea doesn’t wish to host, as we’ll eliminate those deemed toxic for their dogs," he stated.
We aren’t claiming that these plants are completely harmless; why all the concern then? What I’m pointing out is based on my own experiences, I’ve never encountered issues with these plants during the past 65 years that I have been around dogs.
Many everyday activities from cutting with knives in the kitchen to driving a car or crossing the road were more dangerous than these plants were to dogs, he said.
He added, "Be reasonable, avoid panic, yet take it seriously."
He further mentioned that dog owners enthusiastic about gardening shouldn’t anticipate having an immaculate lawn since ‘those two things do not go together’, and he suggested that people who prefer their pets avoid trampling through the floral areas could install short fences or plant hedges along edges or corners to prevent them from entering.
A representative from RHS mentioned that the dog garden was mainly created to evoke happiness and pleasure.
Nevertheless, since RHS Chelsea is an excellent venue for inspiring and educating, many individuals might not be aware that several typical garden plants can be toxic to dogs if ingested. Therefore, the RHS and Monty are promoting awareness and caution regarding dogs in residential gardens.
The garden aims to raise awareness about monitoring pets around plants. Ensure they do not consume or disturb the border plants. As always, if you notice your pet eating something within the garden and observe any behavioral changes, concerns, or uncertainties, contact a veterinarian.
They included: "The garden will continue to thrive at Battersea, where specialists from the organization will meticulously choose dog-safe, non-poisonous plants to ensure that rescued dogs can revel in them for many years."
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