Alan Titchmarsh has shared his heartbreak after returning dwelling along with his spouse to search out one in every of his most beloved backyard options utterly devastated
Alan and his spouse Alison arrived dwelling to search out one thing surprising (Picture: Julian Parker, UK Press by way of Getty Photographs)
Britain’s best-loved gardener, Alan Titchmarsh, has spoken candidly a couple of “heartbreaking” discovery that awaited him and his spouse Alison upon their return dwelling.
Alan lately departed his Hampshire dwelling in favour of a captivating Sixteenth-century cottage in Surrey, that means he now has a wholly recent backyard to form and make his personal.
Reflecting on his new environment, Alan highlighted its placing water function: “What I really like about my new backyard is the way in which it enhances the home in the way in which it has been softly sculpted – there are not any arduous edges, there’s a lot of fraying into timber, then shrubs, decrease perennials, and the pond with the geese dabbling.”
The previous Gardeners’ World presenter, who celebrates his 77th birthday immediately (Saturday, Could 2), counts the destruction of his cherry blossom in his previous Hampshire backyard among the many most crushing setbacks he has endured in one in every of his inexperienced areas.
Alison and Alan Titchmarsh departing following a service of thanksgiving for Dame Jilly Cooper at Southwark Cathedral, London. Writer Dame Jilly died after a fall in October final 12 months. Image date: Friday January 30, 2026. PA Photograph. Photograph credit score ought to learn: Aaron Chown/PA Wire (Picture: Aaron Chown/PA Wire) Get gardening information, suggestions and inspiration plus chosen gives and competitions Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may increasingly embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Talking to BBC Gardeners’ World journal final 12 months, he mentioned: “My small however now 20-year previous plantation of the pure-white ‘Shirotae’ cherry usually offers rise to gasps in early April.
“This 12 months we went away for the weekend simply earlier than it was on account of open. We returned and excitedly walked across the again of our barn to soak up the anticipated view…”
But what greeted the couple was nothing in need of devastating. “The welter of buds had been decimated by wooden pigeons,” he says.
He famous that solely a handful of blooms had been spared — these clinging to the very suggestions of the thinner branches that woudl be too fragile to bear the load of the marauding birds: “Heartbreaking,” he added.
Alan now has an entire new backyard to play in (Picture: Sarah Cuttle)
Alan Titchmarsh offers recommendation for folks with small gardens
Alan will undoubtedly be wanting to sidestep the issues he encountered when he constructed the pond in his Hampshire backyard. He displays that whereas he by no means anticipated bigger creatures equivalent to otters to materialise within the pond he excavated round 15 years in the past, he had hoped for extra humble guests: “Newts and dragonflies, damselflies and maybe the odd kingfisher.”
For a interval, that imaginative and prescient seemed to be materialising. Talking to BBC Gardeners’ World Journal, he describes how the pond sustained a thriving group of bugs skimming throughout its floor — till an unexpected improvement altered every thing.
“However then, from someplace,” Alan recalled, “in all probability on the webbed toes of a visiting duck, roach arrived.”
Alan Titchmarsh and spouse Alison (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
Roach, a hardy freshwater fish that may attain as much as 14 inches lengthy, are recognised for thriving in demanding circumstances — even enduring in polluted waters the place different species vanish. That resilience, nevertheless, comes with a ravenous urge for food.
“Pondering it was simply one other type of wildlife to gleefully add to my listing, I purchased some fish meals,” Alan mentioned.
“At any time when I sprinkle it on the water,” Alan added, “the floor turns into one thing paying homage to that scene within the James Bond film the place the baddie is eaten by piranhas. The as soon as limpid pool turns into a foaming cauldron for absolutely 30 seconds earlier than all of the meals disappears.”
Past the spectacle, the repercussions have been removed from fascinating. The roach, not content material with occasional feedings, have additionally decimated a lot of the insect life that after thrived within the pond. In a bid to revive equilibrium, Alan has inspired an alder tree to develop over the water, hoping it’d function a perch for a kingfisher to hunt the fish.
Leave a Reply