Alan's love for plant life has its limits(Image: Getty Images)

Alan Titchmarsh reveals two plants he'd happily 'banish' from all gardens forever

Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the two plants he would happily never see again - and he's not exactly a fan of one of the suburban staples

by · DevonLive

Gardeners' World's Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his disdain for certain popular garden plants. Speaking to Stephanie Mahon on the Talking Gardens podcast, he was asked which plants he hates most and, without hesitation, replied: "Pampas grass."

He described it as looking "like a collection of feathered dusters sticking out of a mountain of grass" and warned of the difficulty in removing it, saying: "If you ever want to get rid of it, you've got a real task ahead of you."

Alan also shared his dislike for large flowered gladioli, although he admitted they can look "very good in church."

However, he clarified that his distaste does not extend to all varieties, as he appreciates the smaller gladiolus Byzantine, which is native to hedgerows in Cornwall.

Pampas grass earned a somewhat unsavoury reputation in the 1990s(Image: Getty Images)

Despite his personal preferences, Alan recounted how his old friend Beth Chatto was quite fond of pampas grass, to which he responded: "You keep it in your garden, Beth, and I'll be happy."

Beth is known for having started the "Unusual Plants" exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Alan has voiced his concerns about the escalating costs of exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show. He stated: "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."

These days, he's more drawn to smaller, intimate shows like the Royal Windsor Flower Show, where the talents of the growers are truly showcased. He added: "When I went there first, the weather was lovely, which is always a plus."

Alan is not a lover of gladioli(Image: Getty Images)

He noted that the Windsor show may be smaller than Chelsea, but it has a fantastic atmosphere, saying: "Beautifully done but friendly. Lots of different growers, there, with little stands ... it's a bit like portrait miniatures.

You don't always need enormous great, massive paintings to impress.

"It's so intrinsically British and it's what we all remember from flower shows as a child. The skills are there, but so too is the friendliness."

I think often on a small scale, you get the charm, the magic that is lost on the grander scale. ".