Battersea dogs enjoy ex-Chelsea Flower Show garden

Dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home continue to enjoy a special garden designed by Monty Don for last year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

He and horticulturalist Jamie Butterworth created the Radio 2 garden, which Don said was a "celebration of gardens and dogs".

After the show ended, the exhibit was transported across the river to the rescue centre on trolleys laden with plants, and was officially opened by the Queen in July last year.

Don said: "I hoped it would give people pleasure, I hoped I could share the kind of gardens I love, and my love of dogs – dogs have been part of my life all my life."

Since its initial opening the garden has undergone improvements, including the removal of toxic plants and changes to the pond so it better fits the space.

The garden now provides a shady, green space where dogs can run around, as well as an area for behavioural assessments and interaction with potential new owners.

Nathalie Ingham, canine behaviourist and training manager at Battersea, said it was "really important" to have this space because central London is heavily concreted and AstroTurfed.

She added: "This is an amazing space for them to relax and enjoy a bit of free time."

The garden is maintained by Dawn Richards, Battersea's lead horticulturalist, along with a team of volunteers.

She said: "It's a garden that's going to evolve every year that we use it, as we adapt it to meet the needs of our operations team and the dogs.

"Gardens are to be used. They're not going to stay looking like a show garden - that was never the intention.

"It's been really well loved and well used, and as part of that we have to change things."

This year, Don will be leading the BBC Two evening coverage of the of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

He has not changed his mind on a pledge made last year that the dog garden would be his first and last at Chelsea.

"I have no plans to do another garden for anybody other than myself. Never say never, but not for the foreseeable future."

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