Yahoo News Survey finds half of British gardeners cannot name a single shrub, as Chelsea Flower Show prepares to open
Half of British gardeners cannot name a single shrub and do not know what time of year to plant daffodils, a survey to mark the start of the Chelsea Flower Show has found.
While gardening remains extremely popular across the UK, many keen amateurs admit they lack the knowledge and skills to get the best out of their hobby.
A survey for the Royal Horticultural Society found that while almost four fifths of Britons grow plants inside or outside, a third admit they do not really know what they are doing.
As the world famous Chelsea Flower Show prepares to open its gates, one of this year's designers has said schools should do more to encourage children to try gardening in the hope of passing on vital skills and inspiring a lifelong passion.
Tarama Bridge, a former RHS Young Designer of the Year, who has created a scent garden as part of the show's commemorations marking Radio 2's 50th anniversary, said: "It is amazing how quickly children become hooked when you introduce them to growing flowers and vegetables.
"But for many children their parents do not know what to do, so schools should certainly be doing more to get youngsters involved.
"You do not have to have a garden there are lots of plants you can grow indoors. Cactuses are great to start with because they are so hard to kill.
"As well as all the enjoyment there are a huge number of careers available to young people in the industry, so it can be very rewarding."
On Monday Radio 2, which is celebrating its golden anniversary with five themed gardens, will broadcast the Chris Evans programme, live from the Chelsea Flower Show.
Celebrities, VIPs and members of the royal family will also get their first glimpse of the gardens before the event opens to the public on Tuesday.
Highlights include a Chengdu Silk Road Garden, with huge multi-coloured sculptural fins representing a Chinese mountain range, and a Bermuda Triangle exhibit with an "erupting" volcano.
Giant Maltese limestone pillars are a feature of the M&G Garden, which will also include some unusual plants unique to Malta.
Light-emitting concrete, with 800,00 fibre optic cords, features in a multi-tiered "City Living" garden and a transparent wall made with metallic rods, which is as high as a double-decker bus, will also be on display.
