Latest news with #DavidDomoney
Telegraph
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
David Domoney: ‘I keep a secret garden at a property I sold'
David Domoney, 62, is a chartered horticulturist best known for his flamboyant garden exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show, and as a gardening presenter on ITV. Domoney has won over 30 Royal Horticultural Society Medals for his show gardens, plant displays and science exhibits. He has also written bestselling books and lectures on horticulture. He lives near a village in Warwickshire with his wife, Adele, and their children. What attracted you to your home? We were looking for more space to create gardens, and this is an old farmhouse. Four years ago, I bought it with 20 acres. It had been used for horses before so it had stables, and the trees had been cut down to create paddocks. Then this horticulturist bought it and reintroduced all the trees. There are two old pear trees in the garden, I think part of an old orchard a century or so ago. We're attempting to re-establish the planting to what it was like back then. Some of the land is fields, some of which we leave for wild flowers and hay. On the back of the house, there are two acres we're using to create a new series of gardens. We've done eight areas so far, including a grow-your-own area with a greenhouse where we produce all our own fruit, vegetables and herbs. I appear on ITV's This Morning once or twice a week, so it's nice to film in my garden where I can set up for all the activity the night before. Having built a lot of gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court and many RHS shows, with my own garden it's the enjoyment and spontaneity that comes through. What does 'home' mean to you? It's a sanctuary. We're surrounded by plants, and engagement with nature is hard-wired into our family life. Our home facilitates that. One of the first things we did was replace small leaded windows throughout the house with clear glass so we've got unbroken views of the garden and beautiful countryside with open fields. Do you have a favourite room? In the back of the garden, I built a mound for a bench so it's up high enough to get the view of the countryside. In the evenings, I sit there with a Peroni to watch swifts on the telephone lines. That's my favourite place. I had to move 50 tonnes of soil. Some people spend a fortune to park flash cars in the drive – I feel compelled to buy soil! What was your childhood home like? It was a three-bedroom detached suburban house in the outskirts of the Midlands. We had a medium-sized garden my father set up so my brother, sister and I had our own little garden to grow plants in. I was fascinated by it and it instilled in us a respect for nature and my mum cooked from what we grew. I enjoy talking to people, so when we went to the church fairs as kids, we were allotted one of the stands. I'd do the plant stall, and anything that hadn't sold at the end of the day, I took home to grow. One of the biggest things in that garden was the Worcester Pearmain apple tree – one of the sweetest and juiciest apples you can get. It was also where we climbed, saw birds nesting, the blossoms in spring and autumn colour. Engaging with nature is an active pursuit for a child as well as adults. As a kid, while mates did paper rounds, I'd be earning money cutting pensioners' lawns, thinking, 'There's a career in this.' How many properties have you lived in? Four houses before this one. And, 20 years ago, I bought a place in Italy which I still own. I was attracted by the natural Italian landscapes, hilltop towns, sunflower fields and olive groves. It's a small olive farm with about 100 trees from which we produce our own olive oil. If I had to live anywhere else, I'd move there. I've also lived in many college digs – I went to five colleges because I'd become fascinated with the world of plants, and had developed a thirst for knowledge. What are the best and worst things about your garden? Best, that it's evolving. We're adding to it so that when we finish one thing, we're on to the next. There's no 'worst' thing about the garden, just keeping it all going. I also have another garden, an acre and a half, in Stratford-upon-Avon. When I sold a property I kept part of the garden because the plants meant so much to me. It's a secret garden I plan to keep, full of established trees, micro-orchards and flower borders with a door to get into it. It is a peaceful escape. Do you have collections in your house? I give lots of talks to garden centres and nurseries, and the problem is every time I go, I bring something back. I sometimes have to sneak them in, and I feel guilty whenever I come back with yet another plant! I have plants inside the house, like the long-lasting blue torch cactus with needles slightly gold in colour. The older it gets, the bluer the cactus becomes. I'm looking at a Venus Fly Trap that's in flower (late May). It has a calcium clock – it can count up to 30 so it's a plant with a memory. Have you needed to do renovations to your house? Most of the work is outside. We must have planted 500 trees, a quarter of a mile of hedging with a lot of indigenous species like hawthorn and blackthorn, which is perfect for the birds. We've cleaned out and renovated a lot of the native hedging I inherited with the property, and we regularly maintain it outside the nesting season. We've also added a conservatory at the back of the house – a large glass box, so when we're having dinner, the right, left and straight ahead views are of the garden. Everything is focused on bringing outside nature in. Have you done any DIY? Most of the things like planting we've done ourselves, but some mature trees we're putting in take five people to move – you spend £1,000 on a tree and its trunk is the diameter of a big coffee mug. We balance them with younger ones. We've planted little coppices of silver birch near the mound, and all the birds come to the stream to drink and wash. We have a feeding station outside the kitchen windows, and the kids recognise the robins and other birds that come. Did your house present any surprises? We found a secret well which is so deep a mountain climber would have vertigo looking down it. It's a dry well – you can see all the way to the bottom, and if you drop a stone, you can count to 10 before it hits the bottom. There's a little wash-house beside it which I use as my workshop. Do you have flamboyant designs in your garden? I've still got the giant Ace of Spades exhibit welded together from spades that I did for Chelsea's Harley Davidson Garden. But no Ace of Diamonds garden with £20m of diamonds or my water exhibit of 15 live piranhas. But in our garden we've got a plant from every Chelsea and RHS garden I've built. Every one brings back a memory. Gardens can be a collection of memories, rather than just weeding, watering and cutting the lawn. Honestly anything is better than sitting inside looking at a tablet or screen! Water pistols with the kids, the scent of honeysuckle in the air, it uplifts the heart and nourishes the soul.
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
TV gardener's 'doon the watter' promise to his family
'We talk about it all the time and they keep asking to go,' he says. 'I can still remember it now, that smell of seaweed and the sound of the paddles, it was so much a part of my childhood.' Filming commitments mean that Domoney may have to miss this summer's sailing schedule, but he will be in Scotland later this year when he cuts the ribbon on the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, which takes place at the Royal Highland Centre Edinburgh on July 26 and 27. The show is a brand new event and it will bring together top nurseries selling plants suitable for Scottish gardens as well as a traditional flower show with cut flowers, crafts and vegetables, alongside bonsai displays and koi carp exhibits and a Potting Shed Stage, where Domoney will be sharing his knowledge of growing and gardening. That knowledge built on long experience, which began when, as a Scout, he turned his 'Bob-A-Job' efforts, cutting grass for his neighbours, into a pocket-money business before, at the age of 16, taking up a three-year-apprenticeship with a leading garden centre chain. It was a route that offered training, education and practical, hands-on experience and which provided the foundation for a stellar career that has involved senior positions with DIY multiples and the founding of his own, hugely successful garden design and consultation business. Read More: Domoney has designed gardens for high profile celebrities and commercial clients, as well as winning 34 Royal Horticultural Society medals including a clutch of Chelsea golds. He has founded both the Community Street, community and schools gardening campaign, and the Young Gardeners of the Year competition, received royal accolades and been admitted as a 'Fellow' to a long list of eminent organisations, including the Linnean Society, the world's oldest organisation dedicated to botany. He is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable of all TV gardeners, yet when broadcasting live from the greenhouse of his home in Warwickshire, demonstrating to viewers of This Morning how to squeeze the maximum amount of colour out of their window boxes, or wielding a spade in a suburban patch on Love Your Garden, he has a down-to-earth, approachable style that makes him sound more like the capable bloke at the local allotments rather than the bona fide member of gardening royalty that he actually is. (Image: David Domoney) 'I've always loved talking to people about plants,' he says. 'I did it when I worked for the garden centre, giving advice to customers, then from that I moved to making video clips when I was working for one of the big chains and from that came the opportunity to work on TV.' That work has included making more than 120 gardens alongside Alan Titchmarsh and the Love Your Garden team as well as a series of instant transformations carried out live on daytime TV. 'The first thing that the participants would know about it was when I rang the doorbell at ten past ten in the morning and I had an hour and 50 minutes to complete the job.' Domoney keeps finding new ways to express the passion that took him into the industry at a young age and most recently that has taken the form of a new book, 'Plants with Superpowers' that took two years of research to complete. 'Did you know that you can charge your mobile phone using a potato or that walnuts don't just look like brains, they can help our grey matter to function better?' From the incredible longevity of the Ginkgo biloba tree, which has been around for 250 million years, or the Gas plant, which can spontaneously combust, Domoney says he was captivated by the stories that he uncovered. He'll be sharing some of these on stage at the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show, along with giving advice on how to make the most of any garden. And if you want to know in advance the secrets of creating your dream garden, then here are David Domoney's top ten tips for transforming your outdoor space: 1. The garden is your own, personal environment so make it work for you. 2. Create something that is manageable. For instance, if you have lots of plants in pots then you are going to be doing a lot of watering. 3. Lawns are calming, they soften the garden and a well kept lawn will produce more oxygen than a patch of rainforest of the same size. 4. Make it a place that appeals to all the senses. Include plants with different textures and those like mint and rosemary which smell wonderful when you touch them. Try too to include the sound of running water. 5. Think of your garden as somewhere that can support your health so aim to grow currants, blueberries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables. 6. If you only have room for one tree, make it an apple. It will give you flowers, foliage and fruit and because the trees come in different sizes there's one for every garden. 7. Fill your home with houseplants, they bring the outdoors inside. Your window sills are the perfect environment for growing a whole range of beautiful plants. 8. Take care of the wildlife in your garden. Feed the birds and grow plants that are beneficial to insects. 9. The secret of any great garden lies in the soil, it is teeming with life and you can boost it with home made compost, so don't get rid of garden waste or vegetable scraps, compost them instead. 10. Aim to have something in flower in every month of the year. It won't just make your garden look better but it will also help insects to flourish. Tickets to the National Gardening & Outdoor Living Show are available from Enter HORTI30 in the code box to get 30% off a £15 day ticket.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to keep an eye out for 'killer' disease in garden
Black spot leaf disease is a common fungal infection that affects roses and can be more prevalent in wet conditions - here's how to spot it and stop it from spreading in your garden Roses are a stunning feature for any garden, yet vigilant horticulturists must be on the lookout for the dreaded black spot disease, which poses a serious threat to these blooms without swift intervention. Manifesting as ominous dark spots or patches on rose leaves, black spot leaf disease is a pervasive fungal infection typically emerging from late spring through to early autumn when roses are in full bloom. While not directly fatal to roses themselves, this malady precipitates the distressing loss of greenery, foliage turning a sickly yellow and flowering ceasing abruptly – all of which render the plant feeble and more susceptible to a host of opportunistic ailments and invasive pests. The contamination of garden soil by this persistent fungus spells arduous efforts to eradicate; however, David Domoney, esteemed horticulturist and familiar face on Love Your Garden, assures us that with vigilant care and attention, it's straightforward to either prevent or manage outbreaks effectively. His advice is clear-cut: "There is no cure for black spots on roses. However, there are several things you can do to minimise the effects and avoid plants succumbing to it in the first place." Securing your roses against black spot begins with fostering an environment conducive to good health – that means ample airflow between plants and astute watering practices to stave off any excess moisture build-up. Sharing his expertise, David stated: "Avoid overcrowding around rose plants to allow air to circulate around them. Try to water in the morning so leaves will hopefully dry out quicker than if watered in the afternoon or early evening." Always ensure roses are watered thoroughly at the base to avoid wetting the leaves, which can help prevent disease spread, reports the Express. It's common practice to prune roses in late winter or early spring at least annually to decrease the likelihood of fungal diseases. However, summertime pruning is ill-advised as it may overburden the plant during hot conditions, heightening its vulnerability to disease. At such times, instead of full pruning, opt for deadheading to remove any dead or diseased foliage without harming the plant - but this should only be done with certainty of disease presence. David advised: "Pick off infected leaves when first seen in the spring to help minimise its spread. Do this only if you've had a definite diagnosis that the blotches are black spot. This is because removing leaves can limit the plant's ability to grow well." Catching black spot disease early is critical, so regular monitoring of your roses is vital. A common natural remedy for rose ailments involves using a baking soda solution, yet for concerns like black spot disease, seeking professional advice from a garden centre or using fungicides might be necessary. David mentioned: "There are also proprietary chemical sprays available at most garden centres including sulphur-based products. It's crucial to start spraying early in the season and apply every four to six weeks." He further stated: "With this guide on black spot on roses, you're one step closer to having thriving beautiful roses clear of disease. If you need specialist advice, you can get in touch with your local garden centre who will be more than happy to give you any tips and advice."
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
This Morning turns car crash minutes into broadcast as red-faced cameraman drops equipment and ITV guest is caught scrolling on their phone
Wednesday's episode of This Morning turned into a car crash just minutes after going live on air. Presenters Cat Deeley, 48, and Ben Shephard, 50, returned to our screens to host the ITV show, and at the start of the instalment, they were keen to share what viewers could expect. The pair explained one guest joining them on the iconic sofa was actress Jo Joyner, 47, who was there to talk about her new series Little Disasters. Cat said: 'The gripping psychological series starring the wonderful Jo Joyner, and she's popping in to tell us all about it a little bit later on.' Ben chimed in: 'She's amazing,' before adding: 'You alright over there Ed?' Cat asked: 'Ed, are you alright?' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Little crash landing?,' Ben questioned. As Cat started to laugh, Ben said to himself: 'Yeah he is okay.' Talking to Ed, who was out of shot, he added: 'It is a dramatic thriller! I can understand. It's a little collapse on camera two.' Cat couldn't contain her laughter as she giggled behind her co-host and said: 'He's gone pink!' That wasn't the only blunder that happened at the start of the episode. Later on the pair spoke to David Domoney live from his garden in Warwickshire. Ben was a little confused over Cat's stance and she said told him: 'Just stretching, you know.' 'Tight hips?' Ben questioned. But Cat told him: 'You know, we can't all be like Men's Health can we?', making reference to his topless magazine cover which was published earlier this week. The camera showed a wide shot of the studio as the chatted away to each other, and guests radio host Tom Swarbrick, 38, and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, 54, could be seen sitting at the table. They regularly appear on the ITV show to discuss the weekly topics and headlines with Cat and Ben. But Tom clearly didn't realise that he was in the shot because he was seen sitting in the chair while on his mobile. After a few seconds the shot went back to just Cat and Ben, and he asked her: 'What was that by the way?' Cat told him: 'That was a bit of "Where's the beach?" I'm just having a stretch.' As the camera went back to a wide shot, Tom was STILL scrolling on his device. Ben asked Cat: 'Your hips struggling?' 'I don't know, I don't know,' Cat confessed. It comes after Ben Shephard barked back at David Walliams as he took a swipe at his topless magazine shoot live on This Morning. Tuesday's instalment of the ITV show saw the TV star, 53, chat to hosts Ben, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, about his brand new book The World's Worst Superheroes. The pair were keen to find out about the characters in the novel, including one called Super Dave. Ben said to the comedian: 'Some of them are made up and some of them are real... so tell us about actual Super Dave?' David jokingly said: 'Well Super Dave is a bit like Ben Shephard but without the steroids.' The comment made Ben and Cat burst into laughter. Ben sternly told him: 'It's not steroids, David.' The camera then panned in on David cracking up as his own joke. Ben added: 'It's just protein.' David said: 'Protein shakes, that was it.' Ben showed off his rippling muscles for a striking Men's Health UK cover on Tuesday.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Best house plants that will 'help you sleep and improve your life' claims expert
A horticultural expert claims that having house plants can also help you to live longer, as well as helping you to get a better night's sleep. Here are his top 10 for the bedroom If you're tossing and turning at night and finding that a lack of sleep is spoiling your day, worry not – the answer could be as simple as adding some greenery to your boudoir. Indeed, plants might just be the key for those struggling to drift off or those who are fans of a late-night espresso. It turns out, introducing some leafy friends into your bedroom can do wonders. They don't just purify the air but can significantly enhance your sleep quality. David Domoney, an Everest brand ambassador and esteemed horticulturist, believes that embracing indoor vegetation could even contribute to a longer life. A little botany lesson for you – many plants actually puff out moisture during what's known as transpiration. However, certain clever species have tweaked their system to hold onto water, which reduces the humidity in their surroundings. This little trick can help prevent excess moisture building up on your windows, curbing ugly condensation and stopping mould from gatecrashing your space - an enemy to both aesthetics and health. Plant enthusiast David, who's certainly no sapling at 60, explained: "It is well known that many plants can help improve indoor air quality. "They absorb pollutants through their leaves, roots, and with microorganisms in the soil filter out harmful compounds which build up in our homes and release clean oxygen." David, the green-fingered expert regularly gracing our screens on This Morning, has extolled the virtues of houseplants in boosting indoor air quality: "This natural process helps reduce levels of carbon dioxide, increase humidity, and eliminate significant amounts of airborne pollutants, thereby improving the overall air quality within indoor environments. "Plants contribute to indoor air quality improvement through a few of their natural processes." He also maintains that besides purifying the air, plants can help lower stress, lift spirits, and improve focus and productivity by creating calm, natural surroundings. David's shared recommendations include the top 10 green companions for your bedroom haven. Grabbing the spotlight is the Florist Chrysanthemum, or 'mum' plant, acclaimed for its exemplary benzene-scrubbing abilities, a nasty common in glues, paints, plastics, and detergents. Fancying bright, but indirect sunlight, the 'mum' demands attentive care like regular watering and deadheading to promote flowering. Even though it may not be the hardiest of houseplants, it can bring seasonal joy. English Ivy English Ivy makes the list, highly praised for its pollutant-fighting prowess. Do keep the clippers handy, as this vine loves a trim to stay tidy and thriving. Pet parents, take note – English Ivy is ace at clearing the air of those unwanted faecal particles. Peace Lily Then there's the serene Peace Lily, a frontrunner in the home air-purification league. It's a real boon for interior humidity levels too, which could just give your respiratory system that extra bit of comfort. The Peace Lily is renowned for its ability to purify indoor air and reduce humidity. It flourishes in environments with moderate to high humidity, and its watering needs can be easily met by keeping the soil consistently moist without overwatering. These plants are content in low-light conditions and can even thrive under fluorescent lights. Lady Palm The Lady Palm is highly skilled at eliminating formaldehyde and functions well in a variety of indoor settings, including offices and homes. Its ability to prosper in low-light conditions and its resistance to pests make it an excellent plant for beginners. The Lady Palm not only provides cleaner air but also enhances the aesthetics of its environment. Snake Plant The robust Snake Plant is recognised for its air-purifying properties and its capacity to decrease moisture in the air. This plant is ideal for bedrooms as it absorbs water vapour at night, helping to combat evening condensation on windows. Additionally, the plant removes carbon dioxide from the air during the night and produces oxygen, which contributes to a good night's sleep. Also known as the Mother-in-Law's tongue, this plant is perfect for beginners due to its easy care. You can neglect to water it for several weeks, and the plant will still flourish. You can also place the plant in rooms with high humidity or dry conditions. Red-Edged Dracaena This eye-catching plant is effective against pollutants such as xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. It can grow quite tall, making it a statement piece for room decor. Care needed: Red-Edged Dracaena thrives in sunlight and requires soil that is kept lightly moist. Barberton Daisy The Barberton Daisy is particularly effective at removing benzene and improving sleep quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen overnight. It thrives in well-lit areas and requires well-drained soil. Aloe Vera Aloe vera is best known for its medicinal properties and is cultivated for its soothing acemannan gel found in the leaf. A lot of people use aloe vera gels to soothe burns, bites and abrasions. It should be noted that although the gel is tolerated, the skin of aloe vera can be toxic, especially for pregnant women. The plant prefers plenty of bright light and well-drained soil. So, place the plant on a bathroom or kitchen windowsill that gets plenty of light and this plant will help to reduce excess moisture and humidity. Weeping Fig The Weeping Fig is a popular indoor plant that helps combat pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. It prefers bright, indirect light and can be a bit finicky about its care, disliking changes in its location or watering schedule.
