Titchmarsh: ‘Chelsea Flower Show should not ditch exotic plants in favour of rewilding’
Chelsea Flower Show should not ditch exotic plants in favour of rewilding, Alan Titchmarsh has said.
The celebrity gardener said that the assumption that rewilding means reducing the number of exotic plants and moving to native species was “erroneous” in a column for Country Life magazine.
His comments come less than a week before the start of the annual horticultural event, which will include three show gardens that have highlighted their use of native species.
“Why anyone could think fewer species and varieties could increase biodiversity is beyond me,” wrote Mr Titchmarsh.
“What’s more, if our gardens are to survive global warming, we need to be broadening the range of plants we grow, not reducing it, in the interests of populating our gardens with plants that thrive in a changing climate.”
The show, which begins on May 21, has been the target of ire from some traditional gardeners in recent years, as it increases the focus on sustainability and biodiversity.
In 2022, the RHS said native species and wild designs took “centre stage” at the show.
Native species have been favoured by some gardeners for their ability to thrive with fewer fertilisers or water, and as a benefit to the local ecosystem.
Mr Titchmarsh has previously been critical of the Chelsea Flower Show over its decision to award top prize to a “rewilding” garden, which he said had shown “no sign of gardening”.
Writing in Country Life, he said the appearance of “fads and fancies” that actually represented “a step backwards” were unwelcome at this year’s show.
“Amid all the hoopla that surrounds the horticultural event of the year that we call the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, at its heart is a group of folk who continue a tradition that is as old as Adam,” he said.
“It would be a travesty if they were regarded as merely an add-on, for what they do is keep alive the plants and the growing skills that have made British gardens the envy of the world.”
Mr Titchmarsh said he had attended every event since the late 1960s and presented the BBC coverage of it for 30 years.
Netflix will debut at this year’s flower show with a Bridgerton-themed garden inspired by Penelope Featherington, a central character in the television series.
Writing about the show garden, Mr Titchmarsh said: “One only hopes that the ghastly artificial wisteria that flowers all year round on the town house owned by that family in the television series is not a feature.”