Celebrated British gardener Alan Titchmarsh has made a surprising confession, naming the one plant he actively dislikes and has banned from his own garden. The horticultural expert, known for his gentle manner, did not hold back in his assessment of this particular bloom.
The Plant That Earned Titchmarsh's Disdain
On his popular YouTube channel, Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, the former Gardeners' World host singled out ornamental kale, often recognised by its vibrant purple colour. Despite his usual appreciation for all plant life, Titchmarsh admitted he finds this one a 'bit of a weirdo'.
'Where have you seen a brighter rosette, the most beautiful specimen of plant life…oh I'm joking,' he quipped during his broadcast. 'I couldn't wish that on you.' While acknowledging that some people may like it, his final verdict was clear: 'Plant it if you like it, but don't bring it anywhere near my garden.'
A Superior Alternative for Winter Gardens
Rather than leaving gardeners without options for autumn and winter colour, Titchmarsh was quick to recommend a plant he finds far more appealing: the hellebore. Showing off an 'ice n roses' variety on his show, he praised its 'icy' centre with a 'lovely rose flush'.
He enthusiastically noted that hellebores offer a stunning array of colours, including white, yellow, green, crimson, spotted, and purple. These popular perennials, which can grow up to 20cm tall, flower right through from the end of one year into the beginning of the next.
'They're a great plant to put in dappled shade under and around trees and shrubs,' Titchmarsh advised, adding that they grow well in any half-decent soil, even his own chalky ground, provided plenty of organic matter is worked in.
Other Plants on Titchmarsh's Unwanted List
This is not the first time the gardening guru has expressed strong opinions about certain plants. On the Talking Gardens podcast, he revealed his disdain for pampas grass, which he described as looking like 'a collection of feathered dusters'.
He also cautioned that once planted, pampas grass becomes a 'proper nightmare' to remove. Large-flowered gladioli also made his list of dislikes, though he conceded they can be 'very good in church' and expressed a preference for the smaller gladiolus Byzantine variety.
Fans can catch more of Alan Titchmarsh's gardening advice on his ITV show, Love Your Garden, which airs at 9.30am.
