Alan Titchmarsh reveals the two plants he would ban from British gardens forever

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Alan Titchmarsh, renowned for his passion for plants, has revealed two garden staples he would rather never see again. Speaking to Stephanie Mahon, host of the Talking Gardens podcast, Alan didn't hesitate when asked which plant he would happily consign to the compost heap forever: "Pampas grass." According to him, this plant, infamous for its association with suburban wife-swappers, "looks like a collection of feathered dusters sticking out of a mountain of grass".

Moreover, if you choose to plant some, it can be incredibly difficult to remove should you ever change your mind. He elaborated: "If you ever want to get rid of it, you've got a real task ahead of you." READ MORE: Monty Don warns gardeners must 'take action now' to avoid plant catastrophe Large flowered gladioli are another of Alan's dislikes, although he admits they can be "very good in church." He clarified that it's only the larger, more flamboyant type of gladiolus that he doesn't appreciate, reports the Express. "I like little gladiolus Byzantine," he shared with Stephanie. "That's the one that grows in the hedgerows and in Cornwall." Alan's old friend Beth Chatto was reportedly quite partial to pampas grass, but Alan told her: "You keep it in your garden, Beth, and I'll be happy." She also initiated the regular "Unusual Plants" exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Alan expressed concern that some of the exhibits at Chelsea have become somewhat excessive in recent years. He added: "I begin to worry when gardens start to cost six figure sums, a quarter of a million and more to make a garden for a week." He's now more interested in seeing smaller, more intimate shows, such as the Royal Windsor Flower Show where the skill of the grower is really brought