Gardeners' World fans have called out Monty Don for seemingly failing to issue a warning about a poisonous plant. In the July 31 episode of the BBC show, Monty got stuck into the programme's regular "jobs for the weekend" segment and could be seen cutting back a plant while wearing gloves, a detail that didn't escape the attention of fans.
What Monty Said
As he performed the task, Monty said: "The flowers of euphorbia characias wulfenii are magnificent in full display in spring, but they're over now. And they should be cut back. Don't just take off the flower heads, but follow the stem as low as you can and cut it off at the base. These can safely go on the compost heap, and the new growth will supply next year's display." He then moved on to the next part of the segment, feeding chilli plants.
Fans' Concerns
Some viewers pointed out that Monty seemed to have failed to address a crucial issue about handling the plant. The clip, posted on the programme's official Facebook page, prompted numerous concerned comments. One said: "Disappointed he didn't caution regarding the sap that burns." Another wrote: "But be careful of the sap; it can burn skin." A third wrote: "He should be wearing more ppe including safety glasses." A fourth wrote: "Monty forgot to emphasise the poisonous sap. Though I did notice he wore gloves."
Euphorbia, or spurge, has a milky sap that can cause irritation to the skin and can be harmful if it gets into the mouth or eyes. However, it did say in the Facebook caption: "Euphorbias can add height and structure to a border in spring, adding a welcome touch of lime green to a planting scheme. But in summer, they can look a little untidy. If this is the case, cut the spent flower stems back to the base, making sure you put on a pair of gloves before you start and wear a long-sleeved top. This is because the white milky sap from the plant can burn your skin. And don't whatever you do, touch your eyes!"
A Cautionary Tale
One person who learned this the hard way was Homes Under the Hammer presenter Martin Roberts. In 2019, he was rushed to hospital in agony after coming into contact with the poisonous plant. Despite it being seven years ago, Martin admitted that he "still hasn't recovered", having nearly lost his eyesight. He recounted the terrifying experience on Channel 5's Garden Makeovers from Hell. He said: "I didn't even think about it. We're in Britain; this is not the tropical rainforest where I have to worry about the kind of plants I've got in my garden. I do remember noticing a white sap coming out of the sort of slightly barky stems as I was cutting them. And then I rubbed my eyes with my hands, which have got the remnants of this white sap on it."
Serious exposure to the plant can cause "vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the mouth", writes poison triage tool Poison Control. As for eye exposure, euphorbia can lead to "redness, irritation, blurred vision, and temporary blindness", with some reported cases of "permanent blindness". Fortunately, Martin made it through. He added: "My eyesight still hasn't recovered. I still get very dry eyes at night, so I have to put in loads of drops. The only consolation is it could have been much worse. Just don't underestimate how nasty this plant is."
Catch Monty on Gardeners' World tonight (Friday, August 14) from 8pm to 9pm.
