logo
Four viral garden trends making guests cringe as soon as they walk in to your space, according to royal gardener

Four viral garden trends making guests cringe as soon as they walk in to your space, according to royal gardener

The Irish Sun20-05-2025
A FORMER royal gardener has revealed four trends that leave guests cringing as soon as they walk into your garden.
With another bank holiday just around the corner, many of us have likely made plans to invite friends and family over for BBQs or garden parties.
Advertisement
4
Jack was a royal gardener for more than 20 years
Credit: Twitter/X
However, guests could be secretly judging your outdoor space,
Grass Chairs or Sofas
Chairs made from mounds of soil that have been turfed over were a trend a few years ago, but according to Jack, are guaranteed to make guests cringe.
"You had these turf-like seats in the garden, which might sound like a great idea", he told Fabulous, on behalf of
"I think you even used to be able to buy the innards made out of cardboard that you'd fill with soil and then you'd plant grass seed over - they're a bit cringey.
Advertisement
Read more garden stories
"They don't ever really do that well. You can never really sit in them and people don't tend to anyway because the grass is always either wet or it's too dry and then it just becomes sort of like a muddy patch."
Pampas Grass
Pampas grass was a huge trend in the '70s, but Jack said that if you still have it in your garden, it's bound to make guests cringe.
"I consider it massively cringey whenever you see them in a garden," he said.
4
Jack revealed that Pampas grass is bound to make guests cringe
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
"A friend of mine recently moved house and as soon as I walked into the garden, it was the first thing I noticed."
Most read in Fabulous
Plus, thanks to the urban myth that if you have
Gardens Full of Gnomes
Having gnomes in your garden may add a touch of whimsical charm to your outdoor space, but Jack revealed that having too many of them is a huge no no.
"I'm not saying don't have them," he said.
Advertisement
4
Jack recommended sticking to just one or two gnomes
Credit: Getty
"But maybe just stick to having one or two gnomes.
"You shouldn't have like 20 gnomes around a fishing pond or playing sports on the lawn, that's what I would consider as very cringe."
Themed Gardens
You may be tempted to fashion your garden into a shrine to your favourite film or book, but according to Jack, this is bound to make your guests cringe.
Advertisement
4
Jack advised against theming your garden around a favourite book or film
Credit: Alamy
"For example, when people go off to Disney, and then come back and think that their garden should be Disneyland-themed and try to re-create this in their garden.
"Or they go to see a movie, like Titanic, and they might try and create this in their garden.
"It just reminds me of a crazy golf course - but in a garden!
Advertisement
"Just stick to a classic garden, as nothing beats those in my
opinion
."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday
Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday

The Irish Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Millionaire family who blow £40k per holiday muck out sheep on Lancashire camping trip, in Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday

A MILLIONAIRE couple, who have £2500 a week in disposable income were left horrified when they had to muck out alpacas as a "fun" activity on Channel 5's Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday. After giving the Leaf family a glimpse into their lives by taking them to a hotel in Malta that cost more per night than their monthly rent, the Dissont family were whisked off to rural Lancashire for a budget break. 3 The Dissont family were less than impressed by the glamping break Credit: Channel 5 3 They couldn't believe how little the Leaf's spent on their holiday Credit: Channel 5 3 Andre was not impressed when he had to muck out the sheep Credit: Channel 5 Health and Aesthetics clinic owners Sam and Andre, who earn up to £80,000 a month, blow up to £40,000 on a single break, so they were less than impressed by the Leaf's glamping holiday, with Andre describing the glamping pods as akin to a "sewage silo." "It's smaller than some of the bathrooms in the hotel's we've stayed in", said Sam, who is used to five star luxury . "I've never been on a holiday where I could touch all four walls at the same time", Andre admitted. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter were immediately unsure whether they would be able to hack the trip. Read more real life stories "There's no holiday feel to it, it's just endurance", said Andre, after having to lug his suitcase across a muddy field. The posh family, from Cheshire , who blew £155 on a guided tour in Malta, were shocked to find that the same cost was their entire spending budget for the four-day Lancashire trip. "That is so tight", Andre fumed. "We spend that much money just on getting to the airport." Most read in Fabulous The holiday doesn't get off to a great start, with Sam moaning about the cold temperatures and the fact they're "stuck in a field", with nowhere to go. The couple were horrified by the communal bathroom, and couldn't believe that they had to cook food for themselves. Inside 'real-life Love Island' where super-rich 'drop £3k a day' and kinky clubs sweep up boozy Brits booted out from Ibiza "When it comes to a holiday, I want to be catered for", Andre said. Sam completely refused to use the shared shower and decided to fast rather than eat a breakfast of eggs on toast. Activities on the trip included volunteering with alpacas and paddle boarding, which Andre described as "holiday hell." And although the family did enjoy cuddling the animals, they were less than impressed when it came to mucking them out. Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids IF you've got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here's some advice to take on board. Plan Ahead: Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities. Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children's schedules. Pack Smart: Create a packing checklist to ensure you don't forget essentials. Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained. Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on. Travel Comfort: Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey. Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones. Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep. Stay Organized: Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted. Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder. Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation. Engage and Entertain: Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals. Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums. Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged. Maintain Routine: Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible. Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation. Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children's needs and moods. Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments. Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip. These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories! "I work hard anyway, I don't need to do that when I'm on holiday", Andre fumed. The Dissont's couldn't wait to get home to their huge mansion, after admitting that their perspective on budget holidays hadn't changed. However, daughter Kasia said she enjoyed the £900 Lancashire break just as much as the £16,000 Malta getaway. The rich family showed their generous side though, by offering to pay for the Bolton-based Leafs to go on holiday to Greece . "You totally deserve it", they told the "selfless" family. In floods of tears, the grateful family said the gift was "incredible".

More woke madness as beloved ITV detective show has been slapped with trigger warning over ‘crime scenes'
More woke madness as beloved ITV detective show has been slapped with trigger warning over ‘crime scenes'

The Irish Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

More woke madness as beloved ITV detective show has been slapped with trigger warning over ‘crime scenes'

INSPECTOR Morse has been hit with his most baffling case yet — woke trigger warnings for the show's 'crime scenes'. ITV bosses fear viewers may get offended or upset while the mild-mannered Oxford detective solves his mystery of the week. Advertisement 1 Inspector Morse has been hit with a woke trigger warnings for the show's 'crime scenes' Credit: Alamy Streaming service ITVX even warns of 'Satanic images' in one episode of the crime drama, which ran from 1987 to 2000. Viewers must click past a parental control screen to watch series seven's 'Day of the Devil'. The episode sees Morse — played by One scene shows a Satanist being burned to death during a black mass. Advertisement read more on itv Many other episodes also have crime and violence warnings. Senior Tory MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke blasted: 'This is another example of soft-touch Britain seeping into everything. 'We're just going to be laughed at as a country if things like this continue, because nobody's prepared for the real world where there are no ITVX was contacted for comment on the Morse warnings. Advertisement Most read in News TV It previously said about Terry and June to get woke warning - 80s comedy show Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.

I've dated both men and women… I know which sex is easier, says Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson
I've dated both men and women… I know which sex is easier, says Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson

The Irish Sun

time8 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I've dated both men and women… I know which sex is easier, says Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson

SHE'S best known for hosting Channel 4's controversial Naked Attraction, but Anna Richardson's own love life is almost as intriguing as the TV dating show. Following the end of an eight-year relationship with comedian and presenter Sue Perkins, Anna is now loved up with charity boss 5 Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson's love life is almost as intriguing as the TV dating show Credit: Camera Press 5 Anna was in an eight-year relationship with comedian and presenter Sue Perkins Credit: Alamy 5 Anna is now loved up with charity boss Simon Marks Credit: BackGrid And she's clear that even though she puts no labels on her sexuality, she definitely finds being with a woman can be more emotionally complex. 'Dating a guy is, in some ways, less complicated,' Anna, 54, admits. 'Dating a woman means you understand each other implicitly because you're both female. 'Both parties understand that they're emotional creatures. "This can be very challenging and intense, but also very exciting. 'It's wonderful, beautiful and very complex. 'I've loved being in relationships with women, but I find that men are less complicated, less emotional. 'It's a cliché, but as long as you feed them, let them watch footie and the rest, they're happy. 'Whereas it's a whole different ball game when you're with a girl.' Anna was in a relationship with TV director Charles Martin for 18 years. Naked Attraction's Anna Richardson reveals reality of friendship with ex Sue Perkins But when that ended in 2012, she fell for But following an 'excruciatingly painful' They have now been dating for three years and Anna — candid as ever when it comes to intimacy — says 'There's something wonderful about meeting somebody new that makes you realise, 'Oh, I'm not dead from the waist down. "Actually, I can experience amazing sex like I had in my twenties',' said the 'It is possible to recapture it, but it takes work.' Ultimately, Anna insists it is not about whether her lover is male or female — it is about that all-important emotional connection. 'For me, it's about finding the person attractive rather than their sexuality,' she explains. 'Are they floating my boat? Am I into them? 'SEXUAL IDENTITY' "It doesn't matter to me what gender they are. 'I've always been really clear about it, because people do like to stick a label on you — you're gay, you're straight, you're bisexual or whatever. 'But the only label I need is my name.' Recent statistics suggest that more and more women are experimenting with their sexuality. A study by the University of Notre Dame in the US found that women were Although Anna has previously refused to label herself, insisting, 'I have never, ever called myself bisexual', she would always urge people to explore their sexual identity. 'There are far more people questioning their sexuality these days,' she says. 'It is more accepted, but people, going back millennia, have always been gender fluid. It's just the state of being human. 'But we're in the mid-2020s and, with the rise of social media and self-expression, it is more acceptable than ever before. I applaud that. 'At the end of the day, we all just want to be loved.' After three years with Simon, Anna says she is now questioning the next step in their relationship. 5 Anna was in a relationship with TV director Charles Martin for 18 years, until they split in 2012 Credit: Channel4 'We're both in our fifties and relationships are so different now to when you're in your twenties,' she says. 'We've both had broken relationships. 'I was with Sue for eight years and in a very long relationship before that. 'Simon's been through a divorce. "So yeah, we're at that stage now where we're looking at the relationship and wondering what we'll do next. 'What does commitment look like? "Neither of us is in any hurry to get married or anything, but do we move in together? I don't know.' As much as she might be smitten with Simon, the relationship guru admits there are certain benefits to living apart. 'I like my own space. If I want to drop my clothes on the floor in the bedroom, then I will,' she says. 'Do I really want a fella around all the time? And does he want me around all the time? We'll see.' As for her relationship with Sue, Anna says they have since 'I think we have brilliantly navigated coming through a painful break-up and we are now very firm friends,' she says. Being part of Naked Attraction has made me realise there is no such thing as a perfect body — and that's made me more body confident Anna Richardson 'We see each other regularly. We'll be in each other's lives, I hope, for ever. 'We formed a really beautiful friendship. We've got each other's backs and that's what it's all about.' The last series of Naked Attraction aired in March 2024 and, while there were reports that the raunchy show 'I've got everything crossed. People love it — viewers and participants,' she smiles. In an era where surgery, tweakments and social media filters can give us a distorted view of what real bodies look like, Anna says Naked Attraction proves that people come in all shapes and sizes. Hosting the show, she says, has even helped boost her own self-esteem. 'Actually, being part of 'It's made me more accepting of my body. "Whatever you've been born with is perfectly OK, and I'm just very grateful that I've got a healthy body.' For some viewers, 'I must have seen well over a thousand naked penises,' she says. 'I think I've seen every bit and bob going. 5 Anna has hosted Naked Attraction since it began in 2016 Credit: handout "I consider myself to be a kind of honorary gynaecologist, for both men and women.' With so much naked flesh on display, Anna admits that the male contestants can sometimes get a little 'excited'. She adds: 'There have been times when we've had to stop filming because some of the guys were getting a bit frisky. 'We've had to tell them to step outside the room for a few minutes, then rejoin the game when they've calmed down. 'Of course, we get peacocks — excuse the pun — on the show. You've got to be very body confident and I applaud that. "Inevitably, you get fellas who are very pleased with themselves, twitching their pecs and constantly fiddling with their kn*bs. "But that's fellas for you.' She also let slip the reason why female hopefuls ask for the air conditioning to be cranked up, adding: 'When it's cold, their nipples are harder.' 'HOLIDAY FLING' With Naked Attraction on a hiatus, Anna is currently busy with her advice podcast, It Can't Just Be Me, and a true crime podcast, The Mayor And The Mystic. She has also teamed up with iD mobile, who are encouraging Brits to enjoy holiday romances by giving customers inclusive data roaming minutes when they travel abroad. Having enjoyed an 'old-school holiday romance' herself when she was 17, Anna is all for the idea. 'I went camping in the south of France with my mates, met a local French lad called Julien and had a lovely holiday fling,' she recalls. 'We did write to each other for a bit, but sure enough, the letters fizzled out. 'Who knows what might have happened if we'd had mobiles and free data roaming back then?' Anna Richardson has partnered with iD Mobile, the UK's No1 network for roaming, to show how mobile data charges can be a major turn-off for holiday romance. See

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store