The beloved horticulturist has been exploring gardens along the Rhine for a new three-part BBC Two series starting January 16
Monty Don(Image: Getty Images)
Monty Don, the cherished gardening expert and principal host of Gardeners’ World, has shared a fascinating discovery following his departure from Britain to explore gardens along the Rhine.
The 70-year-old presenter recently embarked on a journey from the river’s source in the Swiss Alps through to the North Sea, documenting his findings in a new three-part BBC Two series which launches tonight, January 16.
Don’s voyage extended well beyond the study of plants alone. “People are always more interesting than plants,” he remarked to The Times, reflecting on the human stories interwoven with the gardens he encountered.
The Gardeners’ World stalwart explained that the expedition proved to be more of a cultural journey than a purely horticultural one.
Monty Don(Image: PA)
While he did not necessarily gain new knowledge about plant life, he uncovered a wealth of insight into the communities who cultivate it. The broadcaster observed that although the Swiss, Germans and Dutch share Britain’s passion for green spaces, they approach gardening in notably different ways, reports the Mirror.
“The Swiss are irresistibly drawn to tidiness and neatness. The Germans garden very enthusiastically but they do so as if it’s a job, in the same way as they will clean their houses or look after their cars,” he said. Even the seemingly free-spirited Dutch, he noted, display a strong sense of order.
“They’re incredibly methodical and organised,” he added. Despite this emphasis on structure, Don stressed that the gardens across these countries are far from dull or uniform.
Across Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, innovative projects have transformed both private gardens and public green spaces, in some cases reshaping entire communities.
Often, Don explained, such initiatives begin with a single determined individual or a small group of passionate residents. “In the end, government is never going to do these things — it always has to come from an individual or a few individuals with passion and with knowledge, and they get the ball rolling.”
Monty Don(Image: BBC Studios)
One particularly striking example came from the village of Osterfingen, where Don found himself moved not by what had been planted, but by how the villagers had reshaped their community through gardening. “It is about how gardens can change people’s lives. That’s the point,” he said, summing up the message of his Rhine journey.
Gardens have long played a central role in Don’s life, although his influence stretches far beyond his own plot. Since becoming the lead presenter of Gardeners’ World, he has inspired generations of viewers with practical advice, creative planting ideas and an infectious enthusiasm for the natural world.
Away from television, Monty is a devoted family man. He married his wife Sarah in 1983, and the couple are often seen with their dogs at their home in Herefordshire. They have three children — Adam, Tom and Freya — and Don has frequently spoken about the importance of balancing work with family life, even as he continues to explore the world through a horticultural lens.
The forthcoming series will showcase the diverse gardens lining one of Europe’s most iconic waterways, while celebrating the people whose dedication allows them to flourish. For Don, it is these human stories that leave the deepest impression.
“People are always more interesting than plants,” he concludes — a reminder that gardening is as much about community, creativity and culture as it is about soil and seeds.
Comments are closed.