The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden designed by Monty Don will feature a large rectangle of grass dotted with the plants in homage to low maintenance but hardy domestic lawns beloved by dogs and aspired to by their owners.
The turf the plants will be transplanted into will be a hard wearing rye grass variety commonly found in public open spaces and gardens.
Over time, turf becomes host to a range of plants and flowers spread by wind and wildlife. While daisies, dandelions and clover are sometimes referred to as ‘weeds’ owing to them not having intentionally been planted they can provide sensory interest, support the colour of lawns during drought, provide an important resources for wildlife, including pollinators, and help in weathering exploration by pets.
Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS said: “Our ultimate dog lawn is in truth, pretty humble, combining only a hard wearing grass seed and the stalwarts of the garden – daisies, dandelions and clover. It’s a reminder that lawns don’t have to look perfect to be perfect for our pets, every day use and the wider environment.”
The turf to be grown within RHS Garden Wisley’s propagation unit will receive daisies, dandelions and clover from its orchard where low maintenance management practices have enabled them to thrive. It will also be subject to mowing only via domestic lawnmower.
