Monty’s dog Ned gets involved with designing Garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show
For the first time in history, a dog has been involved with designing a Garden at the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Monty Don’s beloved golden retriever, Ned, has played a key role in the creation of his owner’s RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden
Monty, designer of the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden, called on the helping paw of Ned to create some of the pathways that will feature within planting in his Garden at RHS Chelsea. The move ensures that dogs are integral to the design and highlights the symbiotic relationship between dogs and gardens.
Jamie Butterworth, who is creating the Garden with Monty, laid out the RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden at his nursery, Form Plants near Woking, and Ned randomly ran through pots and plants to create the paths that will feature in the Garden.
Jamie Butterworth, Ned the dog and Monty Don
“We had imagined that Ned would create sweeps and curves through the planting, or at least that is what we had designed. However, every time he ran off, he returned to Monty via the same route, and as such we have changed the design accordingly.”
Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: “We feel very lucky to have one of the nation’s best-loved gardeners and one of the nation’s best-loved dogs designing our RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden at RHS Chelsea this year! As a nation of gardeners and of dog lovers we hope this Garden makes people smile both when they hear about it and when they see it.”
