Monty Don accuses Chelsea Flower Show judges of box-ticking

Monty Don has accused the Chelsea Flower Show judges of losing sight of finding “delight” in gardens, and claimed that the judging process had become a “box-ticking” exercise like a driving test.

One of the judges insisted the process was fair and said that the presenter’s criticisms were groundless.

Ula Maria’s “forest bathing” debut garden, inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku and intended as a place of refuge for people with muscular dystrophy, won best in show at Chelsea. Don said: “I think Ula’s garden was fabulous, deserved a gold medal. The fact she is young and a brilliant designer is fantastic.”

But the gardener went on to effectively say he thought two other “standout gardens” — Tom Massey and Je Ahn’s WaterAid “sponge”

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