Alan Titchmarsh, the celebrated gardener and television broadcaster, has issued a warning about the euphemisms commonly used on plant and seed labels. These descriptions, he says, often mislead gardeners and can ultimately ruin their gardens. Known for hosting iconic shows like Ground Force and Gardeners' World, Titchmarsh remains a fixture on UK screens, anchoring programs such as Love Your Garden and BBC's Chelsea Flower Show coverage. In his latest column for The Garden Collective, he decodes what these garden centre phrases really mean.
Decoding Common Plant Label Euphemisms
Titchmarsh explains that phrases like 'mildly invasive' are far from mild. 'What it means in reality - when applied to the likes of Lily-of-the-valley and forget-me-nots - is that within a couple of years the plant so described will have taken over your entire plot,' he writes. He also warns about 'seeds itself about a bit', describing it as 'mildly invasive with knobs on'.
Other Misleading Terms
The phrase 'good for screening' is another culprit. According to Titchmarsh, 'You'll become a slave to the shears and the secateurs in an attempt to restore light to your garden.' He also cautions against 'slow to germinate', which he says means 'that it never will or, by the time it does, you will have lost the will to live'. Meanwhile, 'comes easily from seed' is more accurate, but he warns it often leads to the next stage: 'mildly invasive'.
Further Warnings
Titchmarsh also addresses 'Prefers acid soil', which he clarifies means 'will die on chalk', and 'tolerant of deep shade', which he notes 'is ivy'. He laments that 'Height after ten years' has led to 'too many butchered examples of Magnolia x soulangeana in front gardens'. Despite these criticisms, Titchmarsh acknowledges that such descriptions are 'written with the best intentions', but adds, 'then they are also hoping for sales'.
