Alan Titchmarsh has been a gardener for the vast majority of his life, but the TV presenter has still made a few mistakes along the path towards nationwide gardening glory
Christopher Sharp Trendswatch Reporter
08:00, 01 Feb 2026
Alan Titchmarsh with his wife Alison (Image: Getty)
Alan Titchmarsh stands as one of Britain’s most celebrated authorities on gardening; together with Monty Don, he has shaped the nation’s understanding of horticulture both domestically and internationally.
Yet, like everyone, Alan has encountered mishaps whilst pursuing his love of gardening, and has shown courage in discussing them openly.
In a recent piece, he recounted a moment where he’d failed to label a particular plant, which subsequently put him in an uncomfortable position with fellow horticultural specialists.
The 76-year-old confessed to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine that he’d misplaced the label, though he’d hoped it might go unnoticed among the numerous other specimens on show.
Unfortunately, whilst conducting a tour of his garden for two expert horticulturalists, they enquired about the mystery plant, resulting in Alan’s mortifying realisation that he’d completely forgotten its name.
Alan Titchmarsh (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Consequently, he noted that in their subsequent correspondence, they made no reference whatsoever to his garden, choosing instead to express gratitude to his wife Alison for the Florentines she’d prepared to accompany their afternoon tea.
He remembered: “A friend asked me, 20 years ago, if she could bring a couple of her own friends to look at my garden. The two ‘friends’ in question were two ladies who had been head gardeners to Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst. No pressure then.”
The two guests were Pam Schwerdt and Sibylle Kreutzberger. Alan recalled: “The only thing that worried me was that I could not locate the label for the tulips that shone brightly from the narrow borders….Not to worry, there were plenty of other plants that would catch their eye.
“And the only plant they asked the name of? Yup. The errant tulip. When their polite thank you letter arrived it mentioned nothing at all about the garden but was full of praise for Alison’s homemade Florentines that she had made for the afternoon tea.”
While Alan confessed this had been a “most embarrassing” episode for him, his professional journey has flourished ever since. Alan’s revelation comes almost a year after receiving a CBE, which he initially mistook for a tax demand when the envelope arrived.
Alan Titchmarsh(Image: Getty)
In conversation with Saga he explained: “I’ve been an MBE for 25 years. I didn’t expect anything else, and certainly not the CBE, which is a bit grown-up really.
“I’m deeply honoured, really chuffed. I found out when a letter came through the post with Cabinet Office written on it. I thought, ‘Is this a tax bill?’ It is true I shed a tear.
“I’m touched there were enough people who thought it was high time. It really is rather something. It’s not a medal, it is something they hang around your neck, so it’s a bit posh.”
When questioned about the possibility of a knighthood, he responded: “No, this will do me. I’m very happy.”
Alan is scheduled to return to television screens in Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on Sunday on ITV at 9.30am.
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