Alan Titchmarsh names two plants he'd happily NEVER see in a garden again

Beloved gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed there are two plants he wouldn't mind seeing the back of. Speaking with zest on the Talking Gardens podcast with Stephanie Mahon, Titchmarsh didn't mince words when it came to his least favourite plant: "Pampas grass."

He lambasted the feather-duster-like plant for not only its hard-to-shake connection with suburban libertinism but also its stubborn refusal to be uprooted.

In his view, pampas grass is an absolute nightmare to get rid of, warning garden enthusiasts, "If you ever want to get rid of it, you've got a real task ahead of you."

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His second gripe is reserved for oversized gladioli, although he admits they have their place in religious settings, conceding they can be "very good in church."

However, he praised the diminutive gladiolus Byzantine, which finds its natural habitat in Cornish hedgerows, and spared it from criticism. Speaking of preferences and friendships, Titchmarsh reminisced about Beth Chatto, his late fellow horticulturist, who was quite keen on pampas grass; Alan quipped, "You keep it in your garden, Beth, and I'll be happy."

Beth Chatto is renowned for originating the "Unusual Plants" exhibition at the Chelsea Flower Show, reports the Express.

Titchmarsh took a moment to reflect on the evolution of the Chelsea Flower Show exhibits, expressing concern over extravagances: "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."

He has developed a preference for more low-key events, such as the Royal Windsor Flower Show, where the talent of the growers takes centre stage. He recalled: "When I went there first, the weather was lovely, which is always a plus."

"Windsor Great Park is the most beautiful landscape and it was a classic village fête atmosphere for all the right reasons."

He noted that while the Windsor show is smaller in scale compared to Chelsea, it boasts a delightful 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 quintessentially British and reminiscent of childhood memories of flower shows. The expertise is on display, but so is the warmth and hospitality."

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