Monty Don has issued a vital warning for gardeners after revealing that his beloved Longmeadow garden was hit by box blight, a fungal infection that rapidly spreads through box plants. The BBC Gardeners' World presenter described the outbreak as a 'pretty big disaster' and stressed the importance of only growing plants suited to your garden's conditions.
Speaking on the Gardeners' World podcast, Don explained that the key to avoiding such disasters is to avoid trying to grow plants that do not naturally thrive in your environment. He said: 'I don't try and grow anything that doesn't want to be there. I think that's really important.' He noted that his heavy clay soil and wet winters make it unsuitable for plants like camellias and rhododendrons.
Don also revealed that filming for Gardeners' World has wrapped up at Longmeadow for the year, providing a welcome break from the pressure of cameras. In his BBC Gardeners' World Magazine column, he said: 'There is no doubt that filming would make it all take twice as long, and add a level of scrutiny and pressure that we are happy to do without for a few winter months.'
The first Gardeners' World Winter Specials airs on BBC Two on Friday, November 28, from 8pm to 9pm. Don acknowledged that viewers might prefer year-round programming, but noted that the schedule has remained unchanged for 20 years.
