Monty Don has established himself as one of Britain’s most respected horticultural experts, regularly sharing his knowledge on the BBC’s Gardeners’ World.
The green-fingered presenter has cultivated a substantial following on social media, with over 1.3 million Instagram followers.
Don frequently delights his audience with glimpses of his picturesque cottage garden in Herefordshire.
His sprawling countryside retreat has become something of a horticultural landmark for fans who eagerly await his regular updates.
The presenter’s garden typically receives widespread admiration for its thoughtful design and seasonal beauty.
However, not all aspects of Don’s garden have met with universal approval from his dedicated followers.
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Earlier today, a controversy erupted on his Instagram profile when he shared images featuring two large conifers.
The trees became an unexpected point of contention among his usually supportive audience.
Several followers expressed their disapproval of the towering specimens, suggesting they were out of place.
The criticism centred on how these substantial trees appeared to clash with the more delicate flowers that typically characterise a traditional cottage garden aesthetic.
The unexpected backlash highlighted how even gardening experts of Don’s calibre aren’t immune to horticultural critique from their audience.
Fans took to the comments section to voice their concerns about the conifers’ presence in Don’s otherwise carefully curated space.
“I love your gardens—but not this one. The conifers look so out of place, especially with the tops being horizontal and not leaving their standard shape. If it were my garden, I would remove them. I love the tulips, though!” remarked one follower.
Another commented that the conifers appeared “too formal” for the natural aesthetic Don typically cultivates.
“Agree about the trees, find them very off-putting. The rest is really beautiful,” someone else said before a fourth added: “I love Monty a lot but not sure what he was thinking with them trees… makes it look like a show garden… something that shouldn’t be enjoyed.” (sic)
The criticism highlighted the passionate opinions many gardening enthusiasts hold about traditional cottage garden principles.
Despite the negative feedback, many loyal followers defended Don’s choices, noting his years of expertise.
He quickly clarified that the trees are actually “Irish yews,” which are often used by gardeners to create focal points in a landscape or to add vertical accents.
Don replied: “Each to their own… and not conifers but Irish yews looking lovely with their flat tops!”
