Dog designs garden in world first

Tasked with randomly running through pots and plants, BBC2 Gardener’s World fan favourite – Ned, the Golden Retriever – provided the blueprint for creating an attractive outdoor space that’s perfect for canines and their garden-loving humans.

And, for the first time in history, this dog-designed garden will be on show at the world famous Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show 2025. The RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden, with Ned’s input integral to the design, aims to inspire the millions of dog lovers at home to create green havens for themselves and their pets.

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Along with RHS Ambassador and fellow plantsman Jamie Butterworth, Gardener’s World presenter Monty Don is creating a Chelsea Flower Show Garden both for dogs – with a lawn featuring daisies, dandelions and clover for rolling and playing, but also, about dogs – with an area exploring some of the less dog-friendly plants to avoid.  

Ned designed the most detailed and complex aspect of the garden

Jamie Butterworth says: “To keep the garden as authentic as possible, Monty enlisted the help of Ned to design the paths that intersect through the planting. Ned followed his nose and forged the routes that we will now copy at the Show. We had imagined that Ned would create sweeps and curves through the planting, or at least that is what we had designed. However, every time he ran off, he returned to Monty via the same route, and as such we have changed the design accordingly. Ned actually designed not just part of the garden, but possibly the most detailed and complex aspect.”

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Monty Don adds: “This is an irresistible opportunity to join with the RHS and BBC Radio 2 to share my love of gardens and dogs at the world’s greatest horticultural event. Along with the superb team headed by Jamie Butterworth we shall be making a garden that is inspired by Longmeadow and my own dogs, but above all a celebration of the way that so many of us share our gardens with our canine companions.”

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CHECK OUT the RHS and BBC Radio 2 Dog Garden highlights

• At the centre of the garden is a neatly mown lawn, which though tended, is essential for canine sprawling, sleeping, rolling, flopping, itching and chasing balls. A large tree provides shade on the grass to stretch out on a warm afternoon while surrounded by ‘balls’ of alliums and topiary.  
• The lawn drifts into longer grass planted with ornamental spring flowering bulbs to create a tameflower, rather than wildflower meadow. Brick paths run straight creating vistas – a touch of Monty Don’s own Longmeadow garden – with one providing the route through the garden for visitors and another leading to the summerhouse.
• To reflect the special place that dogs hold in our hearts and our gardens, the path is inscribed with the names of dogs belonging to BBC Radio 2 presenters and RHS ambassadors, as well as Monty’s beloved dog Ned. As Patron of Battersea, where the Garden for Dogs will live on after RHS Chelsea, Her Majesty the Queen’s adopted Jack Russell Terriers, Beth and Bluebell, will also feature on the path.  
• After the show, the garden will be transported to Battersea, where experts from the charity will carefully select dog-friendly plants to live on where rescue dogs can enjoy them for years to come.

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Monty Don hopes the new garden will be “an exemplar of all the things that dogs love – regardless of horticultural fashion – and also a beautiful space that any dog owner would love.” For this reason, it's been carefully designed to ensure both dog owners and the dogs themselves can get the most out of it.

Choosing dog-friendly plants for your garden

If you’re feeling inspired to give your garden a dog-friendly glow up, Dogs Trust has some really useful tips on what plants to choose and what to avoid.

“Many herbs are good choices for a dog-friendly garden. You can grow them in containers as well as in beds, so they are great for smaller spaces as well as larger gardens. As for flowers, options include calendula, cornflower, and sunflower. If you have other pets, such as such as cats, it’s worth checking that your plants are also safe for them, as this can differ.”

• Rosemary:a blue-flowered shrub with a distinctive smell. You can cook with it too.
• Sage: another scented herb for your dog to sniff. Flowers range from blue to magenta depending on the variety.
• Calendula: a cottage garden plant with yellow or orange flowers, calendula will brighten your borders without harming your furry friend.
• Cornflower:featuring vibrant blue blooms, this plant will add a pop of colour to containers and beds.
• Sunflower: these joyful giants are fun to grow, producing fiery, towering flowers. 

While these plants are suitable for dog friendly gardens, it's important to remember that any plant can cause issues if your dog eats a lot of it.

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Some plants often found in our gardens are toxic to dogs. It's best to avoid planting them or find a method to keep your dog away, such as putting in a secure, separating fence that your dog can’t get over or under. These include chrysanthemums, daffodil bulbs, foxgloves, hydrangea, larkspur, tomato plants (green fruit, stems and leaves), wisteria and yew. 

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How to make your garden fun for your canine chum

“As well as keeping your garden safe for your dog, there are things you can do to make it more fun for them,” says Dogs Trust. “Offering them several activities in the garden encourages natural canine behaviours such as sniffing, foraging and exploring. It’s an easy way to enrich their life and improve their welfare. Dogs who can get overexcited may also feel calmer when they have access to garden activities. And for urban pooches whose walks are usually along city streets, this might be their only opportunity to experience plants and other natural elements.” Here are some ideas:

• Plant a variety of herbs at different heights and positions for your dog to find and sniff.
• Build features at different heights for your dog to climb on. Dogs enjoy exploring objects at various levels, so this will add to their enjoyment of the garden. You could use railway sleepers, steps or small benches.
• Create a mix of textures for extra sensory stimulation. Hide dog toys and treats in non-toxic sand, grass or wood chips for your furry friend to find.
• Shallow water features, such as a paddling pool, are a fun cooling-off spot for scorching summer days, although not all dogs like water. Make sure you’re there to supervise. Ensure your dog can leave the pool easily, does not become overtired, and isn’t biting any parts of the pool or equipment. Drain the pool when it’s not in use.
• Designate a quiet spot with shade, shelter and fresh drinking water for your pal to relax in. This will also keep them protected from the sun on especially hot days.

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