Monty Don's Great British gardens behind the scenes

The episode features Monty Don, a renowned horticulturist, who speaks at a live event. He introduces his new television series, 'Monty Don's British Gardens,' which aired at the beginning of the year and involved the filming of 62 unique gardens across the UK. Monty explains that he had always wanted to focus on British gardens after years of traveling to explore international gardens. The series aimed to capture the diverse gardening practices and cultures found in the British Isles, which, according to Monty, had not been specifically depicted before.

Monty recounts the extensive production process, which spanned over two years and required making critical choices about which gardens to include. He emphasizes the objective nature with which he approached the project, aiming to understand what gardens mean to people and the factors influencing how they are cultivated in various regions. The conversation also touches on practical challenges experienced during filming, such as inclement weather and logistical arrangements for accessing gardens.

Monty shares personal anecdotes, such as his experiences with esteemed figures like the King and Queen and humorous tales about historical garden characters, such as the first person to import garden gnomes to Britain. He reflects on what defines a British garden, emphasizing the culture of growing plants among British gardeners and highlighting that this shared passion transcends social classes.

The episode also explores Monty's future projects, such as his plans to film gardens along the Rhine and the upcoming publication of a new book. Throughout the discussion, Monty's love for gardening shines through as he expresses how he relaxes by cultivating his own garden, reaffirming that gardening is not just an activity for him, but a profound passion.