Monty Don has sparked controversy amongst viewers after unveiling an ‘invasive’ plant choice in the latest episode of BBC Gardeners’ World.
The renowned horticulturalist, 68, raised eyebrows after showcasing his ‘plant of the week’ on the popular BBC One show last Thursday – despite it being considered by the Royal Horticultural Society as potentially invasive when exposed to hot and dry conditions.
Eagle-eyed viewers took to social media to highlight concerns over Monty’s plant pick: Verbena bonariensis.
Broadcasting from his Longmeadow garden, he introduced the plant to his audience, adding: ‘I’ve got a few Verbena bonariensis here.
‘This is a tray of seedlings, self-seeded all over the place, that I’ve just potted up over the last few months and now they’re ready to plant out just to fill gaps around the border.’
Monty Don has sparked controversy among viewers after unveiling an ‘invasive’ plant selection in the latest episode of BBC Gardeners’ World
He praised the plant for its aesthetic appeal, describing its ‘tall stem topped by purple flowers that last for weeks and weeks, and go on being produced well into autumn.’
Noting the species’ ease of growth, he added: ‘As long as it gets half a day’s sunshine it will grow almost anywhere.’
In a recent Instagram post, Gardeners’ World Mag also noted: ‘Its long flowering season makes it perfect for adding stature and structure to low-maintenance gardens and herbaceous borders, and it’s a top choice for attracting butterflies.’
However, some viewers were left dubious over the horticulturalist’s choice.
One viewer took to social media platform X, writing: ‘Hmm @TheMontyDon planting verbena bonariensis on #gardenersworld even though it’s being considered for addition to the invasive species list?’
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Verbena bonariensis is considered a ‘thug plant,’ which is described as a type of plant that can quickly get out of hand in the garden, even though they are not regarded as weeds.
Verbena bonariensis is a ‘prolific’ self-seeder that can run amok when exposed to the right growing conditions – in the case of this particular species, hot and dry climates.
The reaction to Monty’s pick of the week is rooted in recent research from the University of Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society, which compiled a shortlist of plants requiring further investigation for their invasive potential in the UK.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Verbena bonariensis is considered a ‘thug plant,’ which is described as a type of plant that can quickly get out of hand in the garden
Monty praised the plant for its aesthetic appeal, describing its ‘tall stem topped by purple flowers that last for weeks and weeks, and go on being produced well into autumn’
This initiative emerged from an online survey where gardeners reported ornamental plants displaying invasive behavior in their gardens, as reported by Devon Live.
Among the 251 species flagged were popular choices such as Mexican fleabane and Himalayan honeysuckle, as well as Verbena bonariensis, highlighting potential threats to native biodiversity.
Meanwhile, Monty Don has shared essential gardening jobs for green-fingered enthusiasts to do in July – and reveals three plants that need to be pruned immediately for optimum growth.
As the height of summer brings a combination of high humidity and warm days and nights, plants have maximum exposure to the sun, making July a key month for certain gardening tasks.
The 68-year-old horticulturalist and BBC Gardeners’ World host has curated a list of essential jobs for this month on his blog, offering handy tips and advice to help gardeners make the most of their outdoor spaces.
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Eagle-eyed Gardeners’ World viewers question Monty Don’s plant of the week choice due its ‘invasive qualities’