Monty Don’s First Chelsea Flower Show Garden Will Be Dog Friendly

Plenty of gardeners fear their beloved pooch sniffing (and, god forbid, digging) around the garden – but not Monty Don. The Gardeners’ World presenter has revealed he will be presenting a special garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2025, and furry friends will be very welcome.

Chelsea Flower Show 2025: Monty Don’s Dog-Friendly Garden

Gardeners’ World fans are very familiar with Nigel and Nell: Monty Don’s beloved golden retrievers who sadly both recently died in recent years. Today, Yorkshire terrier Patti and golden retriever puppy Ned call Don’s home and garden home, accompanying the horticulturalist as he plants and prunes his beloved greenery.

Only guide dogs are allowed to visit Chelsea Flower Show, which is hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the west London borough every spring (the next edition will be 20–24 May 2025), but Don is about to change that. It joins a welcome trend at the RHS’s shows: abandoning neatly trimmed lawns for wild grass and perfectly pruned patches for sprawling natural spaces. Rewilding is the order of the day, and what is wilder than welcoming animals to join the fun?

‘This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event,’ Don shared. ‘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.’

‘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,’ Clare Matterson, director general of the RHS, said on the news.

Best Show Garden Winner Ula receiving her award from RHS Director General Clare Matterson and Monty Don at Chelsea Flower Show 2024. (RHS)

What Will It Look Like?

It’s all about pups: at the centre of Don’s garden will be a dedicated sprawling lawn, perfect for rolling, sleeping, flopping and playing. A large tree will provide shade, while brick paths (inscribed with the names of dogs belonging to Radio 2 presenters and RHS ambassadors), a summerhouse and a meadow with ornamental bulbs will bring a quaint character to the space. The whole thing will be soundtracked not by barks, rustling leaves and tweets from the trees but by a playlist curated by Radio 2’s Jo Whiley drifting through the air from the summerhouse.

After the show, like all gardens, Don’s creation will be relocated and given a second life. Fittingly, it’ll be rehomed at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

When Is Chelsea Flower Show 2025?

Chelsea Flower Show will return to Royal Hospital Chelsea (Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR) from Tuesday 20 May until Saturday 24 May 2025. The first two days are exclusive to RHS members, and tickets are on sale now at rhs.org.uk