Monty Don has shared his thoughts on a divisive garden ornament that King Charles is said to favour. Ahead of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it was revealed that the monarch will allow garden gnomes to be featured in the horticultural displays, ending a 13-year ban.
This marks a significant change for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) event, where garden gnomes have only appeared once before—in 2013, to celebrate the show’s centenary. The ban had stemmed from concerns that gnomes were too commercial and did not meet the event’s design standards.
Speaking on the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball, Monty Don admitted that while gnomes are not his personal preference, he maintains a tolerant view. “I don’t have them in my garden, so they aren’t a big part of my life, but I don’t object to them in any way,” he said.
READ MORE: Somerset Town Transformed by New Car-Free Route
READ MORE: ‘Unloved’ Rare 1978 Austin Allegro Sparks Excitement Among Auctioneers
The ban has now been lifted as part of a fundraising initiative aimed at supporting aspiring gardeners. As part of this campaign, celebrities have been invited to customize garden gnomes. These will be showcased at the 2026 Chelsea Flower Show before being auctioned, with proceeds going to the RHS’s Campaign for School Gardening.
RHS Director General Clare Matterson explained that the project intends to encourage a light-hearted approach to horticulture. More importantly, the funds raised will help inspire children’s interest in gardening and increase educational access to the pastime. “Gardening in schools increases resilience, builds confidence, encourages curiosity, and gives access to nature – it’s a vital resource every school should have,” she stated.
The decorated gnomes will be displayed among gardens filled with vivid blooms, including delphiniums in blue—one of King Charles’s favourite flowers.
Monty Don, along with Jamie Butterworth, helped create the BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show, which King Charles and Queen Camilla visited. He later expressed pleasure at meeting the royal couple, calling them “true lovers and champions of gardens and gardeners” in an Instagram post.
Monty has often praised their shared passion for horticulture. He told Radio Times that the King has a “real personal interest” in gardening and is a “keen and good gardener.” He also noted that Queen Camilla shares this enthusiasm, having toured the King’s own garden.
Monty highlighted the King’s hands-on involvement in managing the gardens at Birkhall estate in Scotland, where Charles personally prunes trees. Recalling a visit to Birkhall, Monty described feeling “privileged” to experience the estate’s garden, comparing it favourably to other private gardens he has seen.
Earlier this year, Monty described King Charles as “incredibly impressive,” noting his thorough preparation, and praised both Charles and Camilla as “excellent” gardeners.
Gardeners’ World airs tonight at 8pm on BBC Two.