Monty Don: From Marmalade Roots to Garden Feuds

Monty Don, the face of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, was born George Montagu Don and is a descendant of marmalade royalty. His great-great-great-grandmother invented the sweet treat, and he recently revealed a 170-year feud with the Royal Horticultural Society due to his ancestor’s plant-hunting mischief. Monty’s tale is as entertaining as the gardening tips he shares!

Monty Don, the star of BBC’s beloved show Gardeners’ World since 2003, is a legend in the gardening world. Surprisingly, his actual name, which might not roll off the tongue as smoothly, is Montagu Dennis Wyatt Don, although he burst into existence as George Montagu Don. His journey began with a stint on This Morning in 1989, turning him into a household name.
Join Monty on his blossoming adventure! He dabbled in the world of costume jewellery in the 80s, but thankfully swapped sequins for soil. And get this: his Scottish ancestry holds a sweet story as his great-great-great-grandmother, Janet Keiller, who whipped up marmalade in Dundee—yes, THAT marmalade!
Janet’s legacy shifted to her son, James, leading to James Keiller & Sons, a marmalade sensation in the 18th and 19th centuries. After Janet’s grandson, Alexander, died in 1877, he left behind a fortune of £203,000, which is roughly £13 million in today’s money—an eye-watering sum indeed! But here’s the kicker: he left it all to his son John, instead of his bro William, who he had a rather frosty relationship with.
Not just a family squabble, but oh no! Monty’s family also has a juicy 170-year feud with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Now that’s some garden drama! Monty’s great-great-great-great grandfather, George Don, the RHS’s first plant hunter, found himself in a pickle when he revealed his rare botanical finds elsewhere. Talk about a case of HMOs (Herbaceous Malicious Outrage)!
George’s adventures, which kicked off in 1821, saw him explore oodles of exotic locales, but not without a touch of illness drama—yes, it’s not all sunshine and roses! His displeasure with the RHS over pay led him to publish his work in rival journals, and soon enough, he and the RHS were parting ways like a plant goes without water.
Fast forward nearly two centuries, and Monty let loose this heartwarming revelation at Gardeners’ World Live: “George Don then fell out with the RHS and his name was mud.” But to our surprise, the relationship has blossomed again—”it only took 170 years,” he chuckled! Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long for you to nurture your own garden!

Monty Don’s career kicked off on
This Morning, but he’s now synonymous with gardening aplomb.
His ancestry links him to marmalade-making royalty,
showcasing how history can sprinkle sweetness into the blend of existence!

In summary, Monty Don is not only a gardening icon but also part of a family tale filled with twisty roots and tangy legacy. From his motto just being a “monty” of knowledge in the garden to a marmalade family fame, the Don story is a thrilling ride through gardening, familial feuds, and a sprinkle of historical drama. Whether it’s making marmalade or feuding with the RHS, Monty’s family saga proves gardening can be as entertaining as it is green!

Original Source: www.express.co.uk