Monty Don has shared his latest gardening advice in his column for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, as he opened up on a struggle he’s facing due to a global issue
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
05:00, 19 Sep 2025
Monty Don has highlighted four types of plants he would usually plant now(Image: Getty)
Monty Don has spotlighted four cherished varieties of plants that he would typically plant now, whilst acknowledging he confronts a challenging dilemma due to a widespread global concern. Writing in his BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine column, Monty addressed a pressing challenge confronting gardeners throughout the UK, explaining how the “old rules do not apply” because of climate change.
He indicated that the phenomenon had led to the seasons becoming “blurred”, highlighting particularly one element of gardening linked with early autumn.
Monty observed that he would normally order his bulbs during this period of the year, and begin to “plant in earnest”. Nevertheless, the green-fingered presenter has been encountering impenetrable soil.
The television personality then disclosed that he doesn’t “want to lose the joy” of observing four particular plants blooming, all of which would conventionally be planted during this season.
Monty suggested that the phenomenon had contributed to the seasons becoming “blurred”
(Image: Getty)
He penned: “Nevertheless, I don’t want to lose the joy of fritillaries, narcissi, camassias and alliums all flowering and growing in the orchard, cricket pitch and on various other grassy verges here at Longmeadow.
“They hugely improve the quality of my life. So what to do? Wait for the autumnal rains to sufficiently soften the soil? That might be November. Does that matter? It goes against received wisdom, but perhaps it won’t make such a big difference.
“The reason we are all advised to plant bulbs (other than tulips) in early autumn is because they begin growing from September so the longer the roots are in the ground, the better the roots will grow and thus the bigger, stronger and earlier the flowering.”
Monty then raised the question of whether bulbs would flourish in this substandard soil, and determined that they likely wouldn’t.
Meanwhile, as autumn arrives, Monty recently encouraged people to carry out a particular task in September to help enhance plant growth and protect vulnerable varieties before winter sets in.
Monty said he doesn’t “want to lose the joy” of witnessing four plants flowering
(Image: Getty)
He suggested that people take cuttings this month, as it enables replacement plants to be ready by the following spring, and encourages root development before the conditions worsen.
To achieve this, you should first make sure you have a plastic bag (where you’ll put the cuttings straight away to minimise moisture loss), a sharp knife and, naturally, your trusty secateurs.
Monty recommends: “Always choose healthy, strong, straight growth for cutting material. It should be free from any flowers or flower buds.
“Plants like rosemary will root successfully from side shoots that have been peeled from the main stem but where there is plenty of material I prefer to take shoots with the growing tip intact.”
He clarified that you should pot them up straight away once you’ve transferred the material from the plant to the bag. Monty emphasised that the quicker you do so, the more likely you are to “have success”.
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