The Gardeners’ World host often issues tips and tricks on his Instagram accountDan Haygarth Liverpool Daily Post Editor and Regeneration Reporter
20:52, 23 Aug 2025
Monty Don, presenter of BBC series Gardeners’ World(Image: James Manning/PA Wire)
Monty Don has issued advice to gardeners, telling them of a “very cheap” and “underrated” addition they can make to their own gardens. Monty, 70, is in his second spell as host of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, first leading the show from 2003 to 2008 before returning in 2011 to take over from Toby Buckland.
Away from the show, he frequently keeps his fans updated with pictures from his own garden on his Instagram page. In recent days, the Magdalene College, Cambridge graduate has shared pictures of cosmos in his vegetable garden, sungold tomatoes that he plans to freeze for use in a sauce and himself picking from a fig tree.
Among his recent posts were advice for gardeners who are looking for additions to their vegetable gardens.
On Instagram, Monty said: “The hawthorn hedges round the veg garden. Hawthorn is much underrated as a garden hedge – very cheap, very hardy and healthy, fast growing and brilliant for wildlife.”
According to Hedges Direct: “Hawthorn hedging is a fast-growing, deciduous native hedge plant, also known as May Flower, Quickthorn, or by its Latin name Crataegus monogyna. It is a popular component of native hedgerows and a haven for wildlife..”
Monty’s fans in the comments were welcoming of the advice and also shared their experiences with hawthorn hedges.
The Croft House said: “Our hawthorn hedge is just full of sparrows – brilliant! I do wish it looked like yours, ours is much more scruffy and oh, my! How many burst lawn tractor tyres we’ve had over the years with the thorns!”
Brenda Collister said: “Ooh I do love a well clipped hedge.” Mitch added: “Good idea to trim it tightly- mine are all wild and wavy and the thorns get me, I will try this. Great inspiration thank you Monty.
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Instagram user Epping Good Honey said: “Fabulous May blossom for pollinators ~ the best wild thing in spring for successive early seasonal foraging.
“Do you allow it to bloom in your clipped formal hedges here?”
Wolfpeachedibles commented: “Very true, I’ve planted it on my allotment.”
Anthony Demetre said: “The berries are a useful addition to jam making too due to the high pectin content.”
Monty became Gardeners’ World host in 2003, replacing Alan Titchmarsh. He stepped away from the show in 2008 due to illness before returning in 2011.
He’s also written many books on horticulture, beginning with The Prickotty Bush in 1990.
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