Renowned British gardener Alan Titchmarsh recently opened up about one of his most awkward experiences in the garden, which unfolded during a visit from two esteemed horticultural experts two decades ago.
The Unlabeled Tulip Incident
At 76, Titchmarsh remains a leading figure in UK gardening, often sharing insights alongside peers like Monty Don. In a candid reflection, he described inviting visitors to tour his garden, only to face an unexpected challenge. He had misplaced the label for a vibrant batch of tulips lining the borders and hoped the oversight would go unnoticed amid the array of other plants.
The guests turned out to be Pam Schwerdt and Sibylle Kreutzberger, former head gardeners at Sissinghurst for the legendary Vita Sackville-West. Titchmarsh recalled the moment with a mix of humor and chagrin: “A friend asked me, 20 years ago, if she could bring a couple of her own friends to look at my garden. The two ‘friends’ in question were two ladies who had been head gardeners to Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst. No pressure then.”
During the tour, the experts zeroed in on the very tulips in question, prompting Titchmarsh to admit he could not recall their name. Their follow-up thank-you note skipped any mention of the garden entirely, instead lavishing praise on his wife Alison’s homemade Florentines served with afternoon tea. He noted: “The only thing that worried me was that I could not locate the label for the tulips that shone brightly from the narrow borders….Not to worry, there were plenty of other plants that would catch their eye. And the only plant they asked the name of? Yup. The errant tulip. When their polite thank you letter arrived it mentioned nothing at all about the garden but was full of praise for Alison’s homemade Florentines that she had made for the afternoon tea.”
Titchmarsh described the episode as his “most embarrassing” gardening mishap, yet it highlights the human side of his expertise.
Recent Honors and Reflections
Nearly a year ago, Titchmarsh received a CBE for his contributions to gardening and broadcasting, an honor that initially puzzled him. The official letter from the Cabinet Office arrived by post, leading him to wonder if it was a tax demand. In a recent interview, he expressed his surprise and gratitude: “I’ve been an MBE for 25 years. I didn’t expect anything else, and certainly not the CBE, which is a bit grown-up really. I’m deeply honoured, really chuffed. I found out when a letter came through the post with Cabinet Office written on it. I thought, ‘Is this a tax bill?’ It is true I shed a tear. I’m touched there were enough people who thought it was high time. It really is rather something. It’s not a medal, it is something they hang around your neck, so it’s a bit posh.”
When asked about the possibility of a knighthood, he demurred: “No, this will do me. I’m very happy.”
Upcoming Television Appearance
Titchmarsh continues to inspire audiences through his work. He returns to screens with Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV this Sunday at 9:30 a.m., offering fresh gardening tips and lifestyle advice.
