Beloved horticulturist and Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don has made a surprising confession following a journey away from British soil. The 70-year-old broadcaster has returned from an expedition along the River Rhine with a renewed focus on the people, rather than the plants, he encountered.
A Cultural Journey Down the Rhine
Don recently embarked on a trip tracing the iconic river from its source in the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. His discoveries are now the subject of a new three-part BBC Two series which began airing on January 16. While the programme showcases stunning gardens, Don insists the adventure was less about horticulture and more about human culture.
"People are always more interesting than plants," Don revealed in an interview with The Times. He explained that while he didn't necessarily learn new facts about flora, he uncovered profound insights into the communities that nurture them. He observed distinct national characteristics in gardening styles, noting the Swiss obsession with tidiness, the German's diligent, workmanlike approach, and the unexpectedly methodical nature of the Dutch.
Gardens That Transform Communities
Despite these cultures of order, Don emphasises that the green spaces are far from boring. Across Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, he witnessed pioneering schemes that have reshaped not just private plots but entire communities. Often, he notes, these transformations begin with a single passionate individual or a small, dedicated group.
"In the end, government is never going to do these things — it always has to come from an individual or a few individuals with passion and with knowledge, and they get the ball rolling," Don stated. A prime example was the village of Osterfingen, where the communal act of gardening had a life-changing impact on residents. "It is about how gardens can change people's lives. That's the point," he summarised.
Beyond the Back Garden
Monty Don's own life has long been rooted in gardening. As the lead presenter of the BBC's Gardeners' World, he has inspired countless viewers with his practical advice and infectious enthusiasm. Away from the cameras, he is a devoted family man, married to wife Sarah since 1983, and is often at his Herefordshire home with their dogs and their three children, Adam, Tom, and Freya.
The new series promises to celebrate the diversity of European gardens and the human passion that makes them thrive. For Don, the lasting legacy of his Rhine adventure is a powerful reminder that gardening's true essence lies in connection and community.
"People are always more interesting than plants," he concludes, affirming that soil and seeds are just one part of a much richer story about creativity, culture, and collective spirit.
