Gardeners’ World host Monty Don has been discussing the advantages of a climbing plant, as he detailed a significant change at his well-known Longmeadow backyard that he has come to remorse
Monty Don has admitted that he regrets making a sure change to his Herefordshire backyard(Image: Getty)
Monty Don has confessed that he regrets implementing a specific alteration to his famend Longmeadow backyard, although he stays optimistic that issues might be rectified. His remarks emerged as he explored the advantages of ivy, after a suggestion that the plant can depart some people “agitated”, particularly when it climbs up buildings.
Monty stated folks typically assume that ivy “destroys the surface” of buildings, which he acknowledged is correct to “some extent”. He noticed that it occurs when you will have a really porous floor, but it surely solely self-suckers throughout its early phases.
He instructed the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast: “As it matures, it doesn’t. What you do get is roots. You get surface roots that come out of the stem and, to some extent, they attach themselves to the surface.”
Monty explains that when a floor is badly rendered and has cracks, the ivy conceals them. Rainwater can then get behind it. This signifies that if you strip away the ivy, it may well pull the render off with it.
Monty emphasised that it is “not the ivy” that causes this, insisting that the plant is definitely securing it in place. He famous that it had acquired a “bad reputation” as a consequence and highlighted some of ivy’s advantages.
He stated it may well “look lovely” earlier than disclosing that he has some in his personal backyard, Longmeadow. Indeed, he even encourages it to climb up bushes and unfold throughout the bottom, highlighting that it is “fantastic for wildlife”. Later, Monty expressed some remorse over his choice to take away ivy, stating: “So, I feel we now have this fetishisation that it’s a horrible factor; it is not.
“In its place, dealt with correctly, it is a fantastic plant, fabulous for wildlife, can look nice, and, you understand, I’ve received it rising on, you understand…we have got it on numerous partitions. And, in truth, we stripped a wall of ivy this final winter as a result of it received out of hand.”
He continued: “We took all of it off. I quite remorse it now. It will develop again; we did not take the plant out. It will come again. But truly, I’m…you understand, with hindsight, perhaps we may have simply pruned it arduous.”
Fans typically look to Monty for gardening ideas, with many revisiting his April 2024 blog to focus on key duties to recollect as spring commences, stressing that the primary priorities are sustaining management and resisting the urge to “scalp your grass”.
In April, it’s advisable to mow less whenever possible, as longer grass benefits wildlife and can be equally appealing. Monty also suggested keeping some areas of short grass for activities and practical use.
He advised: “Whatever your grass-cutting inclinations, resist the temptation to scalp your grass right down to its midsummer top. Set the blades excessive and simply trim the grass for the primary few weeks as a lot to even it out as to cut back it.
“Then, as the weather gets warmer and the grass starts to grow more strongly, gradually reduce the height over a few weeks but always keeping it slightly on the long side. This will result in a much healthier, greener sward.”
Catch Gardeners’ World tonight (Friday, April 3) on BBC Two from 8am to 9am.
