Alan Titchmarsh hates one plant and warns 'don't bring it near my garden'

Gardening icon Alan Titchmarsh has named one plant he "hates" and has warned fans not to bring it "anywhere near my garden". While the former Gardeners' World star says he "hates to be unkind" to any plant, he labelled it a "bit of a weirdo".

The controversial plant joins pampas grass on the list of species banned from Alan's Hampshire garden. The offending variety is ornamental kale - also known as purple kale - which stands out for its vivid, eye-catching hue. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, he remarked: "Where have you seen a brighter rosette, the most beautiful specimen of plant life...oh I'm joking. I couldn't wish that on you.

"I know some people like them, and I hate to be unkind to any plant, but it's a bit of a weirdo isn't it really? Plant it if you like it, but don't bring it anywhere near my garden."

The gardening expert instead urges enthusiasts to opt for hellebores in their plots. These beloved perennials can reach heights of up to 20cm and are celebrated for their winter and spring displays.

Presenting an "ice n roses" hellebore, Alan commented: "It's a bit icy in the middle with a lovely rose flush to it. This is helleborus glandorfensis, don't worry too much about the Latin names, just choose them for their beautiful flowers."

According to Alan, the species produces blooms in numerous shades including white, yellow, green, crimson, spotted, and purple. He concluded: "So many variations and they grow in any half-decent soil.

"Mine are in chalk, so they can cope with it there. Just make sure that when you plant them there's plenty of organic matter worked into the ground.

"They're a great plant to put in dappled shade under and around trees and shrubs. And they'll flower in their various forms right the way through from the end of one year to the beginning of the next."

In a recent episode of the Talking Gardens podcast, Alan didn't hold back when asked about a plant he'd happily consign to the compost heap. He quickly expressed his distaste for pampas grass to host Stephanie Mahon.

The gardening expert believes the plant - infamously associated with suburban swingers - "looks like a collection of feathered dusters sticking out of a mountain of grass". Moreover, he cautioned that once planted, getting rid of it becomes a real ordeal.

He warned: "If you ever want to get rid of it, you've got a real task ahead of you."

Alan's second pet peeve is large-flowered gladioli, although he concedes they can be "very good in church."

The television star clarified that it's only the larger, more ostentatious varieties he dislikes, according to the Express. "I like little gladiolus Byzantine," he disclosed to Stephanie.

Catch Alan on ITV at 9.30am today (November 9) for his Love Your Garden show