Monty Don fans have gushed over the Gardeners’ World star’s ‘discreet’ and ‘perfect’ tribute to his beloved dog Nell hidden in his garden.
The famed horticulturalist, 68, was left heartbroken in October 2023 after his eight-year-old Labrador Nell passed away from cancer – just three years after he lost Golden Retriever Nigel.
Don, who is known for his love of dogs and regularly inviting his furry friends to share screen time with him, took to social media to share the tragic news on October 21, which came four months after his companion was diagnosed with the disease.
He wrote: ‘I was going to tell you about my new book which is published next week but that can wait because my lovely dear Nell died last night. She was diagnosed with cancer in June and every day this summer has been a gift but it is over now.’
Now, six months on, the TV host has shared a subtle touching tribute to his late companion hidden among the foliage in his sprawling Longmeadow garden.
Monty Don fans have gushed over the Gardeners’ World star’s ‘discreet’ and ‘perfect’ tribute to his beloved dog Nell (pictured) hidden in his garden
At the bottom of a plant pot in Monty Don’s garden lies in an inscription that spells “Nell” in cursive font, as well as an outlined image a Labrador
Taking to his Instagram account @themontydon in April, Don posted a seemingly ordinary photograph of brown porcelain pots containing purple and pink tulips.
Alongside the photo, the horticulturalist attached a caption that read: ‘The Nell pot (trickier to read, but its there).’
At the bottom of the biggest plant pot lies in an inscription that spells “Nell” in cursive font, as well as an outlined image a Labrador.
The tribute appears to commemorate Nell in a similar fashion to Don’s former pooch Nigel, who also had a personal plant pot assigned to him following his death four years ears ago.
Don’s post has since amassed over 21,500 likes, with hundreds of moved fans expressing their thoughts on the TV host’s ‘perfect’ tribute to his pup.
One person wrote, ‘Discreet and so thoughtful,’ while another said, ‘Lovely idea to remember both dogs and something beautiful to see as well.’
A third touched individual commented, ‘Perfect memorial to a memorable Nell,’ while another said, ‘I can imagine all the love that goes into planting up these pots especially…’
Another fan wrote: ‘Ahhh Nell… miss seeing her on GW. Tulips gorgeous, love all sorts of tulips.’
The famed horticulturalist, 68, was left heartbroken in 2023 after his eight-year-old Labrador Nell (pictured) passed away from cancer – just three years after he lost Golden Retriever Nigel
Hundreds of moved fans expressed their thoughts on the TV host’s ‘perfect’ tribute to his pup on Instagram
Acknowledging Don’s tributes to both dogs, one person wrote, ‘A lovely tribute, they were always with you in the garden,’ while another said, ‘Both pots for Nigel and Nell are so beautiful, wonderful tributes to them both.’
You can watch Monty Don preparing the cottage garden for summer in tonight’s episode of Gardeners’ Word, which will air on BBC Two at 9pm.
It comes after Monty Don recently warned gardeners should wait until after a particular date to begin mowing the lawn – as it can have an impact on the performance of both bulbs and grasses the following spring.
Writing in his blog, Monty acknowledges that around one million eager gardeners across the UK will take to trimming their grass by June – but has warned how it could compromise growth next spring.
The TV host revealed that homeowners should wait until after the longest day of the year, June 21, to begin mowing the garden – and has even suggested waiting until August to ensure a healthy, thriving lawn.